mummify

[ muhm-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, mum·mi·fied, mum·mi·fy·ing.

1. to make (a dead body) into a mummy, as by embalming and drying.
2. to make (something) resemble a mummy; dry or shrivel up:

   The dead lizard was mummified by the hot desert air.

3. to preserve (an idea, institution, custom, etc.) that may have outlived its usefulness or relevance:

   Those mummified customs have no place in society today.

verb (used without object)

, mum·mi·fied, mum·mi·fy·ing.

1. to dry or shrivel up.

mummify

/ ˈmʌmɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. tr to preserve the body of (a human or animal) as a mummy
2. intr to dry up; shrivel
3. tr to preserve (an outdated idea, institution, etc) while making lifeless

Derived Forms

• ˌmummifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• mummi·fi·cation noun
• half-mummi·fied adjective
• un·mummi·fied adjective
• un·mummi·fying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mummify¹

First recorded in 1620–30; mummy ¹ + -fy

Example Sentences

It might be easier for dinosaurs to “mummify” than scientists had thought.

From Science News For Students

It might be easier for dinosaurs to “mummify” than scientists thought.

From Science News

Analyses focused on hair from the girl’s naturally mummified body and fingernails from the boy’s partially mummified remains.

From Science News

Until now, researchers had pegged the mummified Bronze Age bunch as newcomers and debated about where in West Asia they originally came from.

From Science News

Blackened lungs in mummified tissue from Egypt, Peru, and Great Britain point to wood fires from ancient homes.

From Freakonomics

They mummify the victim, as it were, and tuck him away for the morrow.

From Project Gutenberg

They mummify before decay sets in and turn into a leathery brown, similar to the mummies of Egypt.

From Project Gutenberg