calcify

[ kal-suh-fahy ]

verb (used with or without object)

, cal·ci·fied, cal·ci·fy·ing.

1. Physiology. to make or become calcareous or bony; harden by the deposit of calcium salts.
2. Geology. to harden by deposition of calcium carbonate.
3. to make or become rigid or intransigent, as in a political position.

calcify

/ ˈkælsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to convert or be converted into lime
2. to harden or become hardened by impregnation with calcium salts

Other Words From

• non·calci·fied adjective
• un·calci·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of calcify¹

First recorded in 1830–40; calci- + -fy

Example Sentences

Moreover, as we’ve reported previously, Georgia’s electorate is ideologically calcified by race and geography.

From FiveThirtyEight

Today, the beliefs and actions of a relatively small group of people may be calcifying this divide.

From FiveThirtyEight

Tap this image and those below to enlargeParts of bones that have started to calcify shine brightest in the image, Timin says.

From Science News

Even if, in real life, she’s a survivor in a tough business, her features haven’t become calcified by cynicism.

From Time

Work on modern and fossil sponges has shown that these sponges can be preserved in the rock record when their soft tissue is calcified during decay.

From Singularity Hub 

At the fifth year the second permanent molars, and at the eighth year the third molars or wisdom teeth, begin to calcify.

From Project Gutenberg

The permanent molars begin to calcify at the twenty-fifth week of fœtal life.

From Project Gutenberg

My father did not achieve that for himself, as his arteries had started to calcify before he discovered the immortality vitamin.

From Project Gutenberg

The underlying blood coagulates rapidly, and the periosteum begins to calcify within a few weeks, as shown by the X-ray.

From Project Gutenberg

The permanent incisors do not calcify until a year after birth.

From Project Gutenberg