The spelling of the word "petrified" may seem tricky, but it is actually quite easy once you understand the pronunciation. The word is pronounced /ˈpetrəfaɪd/, with emphasis on the second syllable. The use of the letter "i" in the middle and end of the word can be confusing, but it follows the general rule of using "i" before "e" except after "c". The word means to be paralyzed with fear, and is often used to describe a feeling of extreme anxiety or terror.
Petrified, as an adjective, refers to a state of extreme fear, astonishment, or paralysis often resulting from a perceived threat or shocking event. It describes the state of being so overwhelmed or terrified that one becomes immobile or frozen in place, as if turned to stone. This term is derived from the Greek word "petro-" meaning "stone" or "rock."
In its original context, petrification was experienced as a physical transformation in which an organic material, such as wood or bone, becomes mineralized and turns into stone. Over time, however, petrified has come to symbolize the emotional or psychological reaction to an overwhelming or terrifying experience.
When someone is petrified, their body and senses seize up, rendering them unable to move, speak, or act. This can be a natural instinctive response to perceived danger, triggering a state of fight, flight, or even freeze. It can also manifest as a result of shock or disbelief in the face of something distressing or horrifying.
Furthermore, petrified can be used metaphorically to describe a heightened level of anxiety or dread. It conveys the intense and immobilizing fear that renders an individual motionless or unable to think rationally.
Overall, petrified encompasses the feelings of extreme terror, shock, and paralysis that can arise from a threatening or shocking situation, representing a state of being frozen in fear or astonishment.
Converted into stone; amazed; astounded.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "petrified" comes from the Latin word "petrificare", which is composed of two components: "petra", meaning "rock", and "facere", meaning "to make". Therefore, the literal meaning of "petrificare" is "to make into stone". This word eventually evolved into "petrified" in the English language, retaining its original sense of "turned to stone" and also gaining the figurative meaning of being extremely frightened or paralyzed with fear.