Petrified

Adjective

Definition: Terrified or extremely frightened.

Definition: Turned into stone; fossilized.

Synonyms: Terrified, Horrified, Frozen, Paralyzed, Panicked

Antonyms: Brave, Fearless, Confident, Composed

Examples:

She was petrified of spiders and couldn't even be in the same room as one.
The petrified remains of a dinosaur were discovered in the desert.

Mnemonics:

Petrified = terrified like a stone statue frozen in fear.
Think of "petrified forest" where trees have turned into stone over time.

Etymology:

Origin:

Derived from the Greek word "petros" meaning "rock" or "stone."

Historical Usage:

The term "petrified" has been used since ancient times to describe objects that have turned into stone through a process called mineralization or fossilization.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Scared stiff"

Explanation:

This phrase is often used to describe someone who is petrified or frozen with fear.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "petrified" with "petrifaction."

Explanation:

"Petrified" refers to the state of being terrified or turned into stone, while "petrifaction" specifically refers to the process of turning organic material into stone.