petrify
verb (used with object)
to convert into stone or a stony substance.
had petrified
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past perfectof petrify.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His valet is a trained nurse, a repellent person, though competent, with dull eyes and a face which looks as if it had petrified under his skin, because his soul—if any—belongs to the Stone Age.
From Where the Path Breaks by Charles de Créspigny
Again he looked at the face of Marchant as though trying to read in the horrified smile that had petrified on it some mysterious secret hidden underneath.
From The Treasure-Train by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve
The touch was as stealthy and as sudden as that other touch which had petrified me from head to foot on the night when we first met.
From The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
For several minutes Captain Plum stood as if the sudden apparition had petrified him.
From The Courage of Captain Plum by James Oliver Curwood
Rhoda turned to see what had petrified Mr. Gibbs into silence, and saw Castalia Errington.
From A Charming Fellow, Volume III (of 3) by Frances Eleanor Trollope
