Petrifying: meaning, definitions and examples
๐จ
petrifying
[ หpษtrษชfaษชษชล ]
emotional response
Petrifying describes something that causes extreme fear or terror. It is often used to characterize experiences, stories, or situations that induce an intense emotional reaction, rendering individuals momentarily paralyzed with fright. The term can apply to scary movies, haunted houses, or frightening events that leave a lasting impression. It portrays an overwhelming sense of dread or horror that can immobilize a person.
Synonyms
frightening, horrifying, scary, terrifying.
Examples of usage
- The petrifying scream echoed through the empty halls.
- She found the horror movie absolutely petrifying.
- The petrifying legend of the ghost kept the villagers awake at night.
Translations
Translations of the word "petrifying" in other languages:
๐ต๐น petrificante
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเคคเฅเคฅเคฐ เคฌเคจเคพเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช versteinern
๐ฎ๐ฉ menjadi batu
๐บ๐ฆ ะบะฐะผ'ัะฝััะธ
๐ต๐ฑ skamienienie
๐ฏ๐ต ็ณๅใใ
๐ซ๐ท pรฉtrifiant
๐ช๐ธ petrificante
๐น๐ท taลlaลma
๐ฐ๐ท ์ํํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชุญุฌุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ zkamenฤnรญ
๐ธ๐ฐ skamenenie
๐จ๐ณ ็ณๅ็
๐ธ๐ฎ petrificira
๐ฎ๐ธ steina
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐัาะฐ ะฐะนะฝะฐะปะดััั
๐ฌ๐ช แฅแแแจแ แแแแแฅแชแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ daลlaลma
๐ฒ๐ฝ petrificante
Etymology
The word 'petrifying' originates from the Latin word 'petrificare', which means 'to turn to stone.' The term was historically used in the context of the process of petrifaction, where organic material becomes fossilized. Over time, its figurative meaning evolved to describe an emotional state where fear renders a person immobile, akin to the way an object might be solidified in stone. It began appearing in English literature around the late 19th century as a means to express extreme fear, particularly in Gothic novels and horror stories. By the 20th century, 'petrifying' became more common in popular culture, describing everything from ghost stories to thrillers, emphasizing the profound impact of fear on human behavior.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #36,942, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
- ...
- 36939 occultist
- 36940 vacationed
- 36941 incommode
- 36942 petrifying
- 36943 scandalize
- 36944 maki
- 36945 jingoistic
- ...