petrifaction

/ˈpɛtrəˌfækʃən/

Other forms: petrifactions

Petrifaction is when a plant or animal gradually turns into stone. Petrified wood, wood that's been fossilized over time, is one example of petrifaction.

If you study geology, you'll come across the term petrifaction, which can also be called petrification. When an organism goes through petrifaction, its original structure is slowly replaced by minerals, until it's entirely made of stone. Many fossils are the result of petrifaction. This French word comes from the Middle French pétrifier, "to make or become stone," from its Latin root words, petra, "rock or crag," and ficare, "make or become."

Definitions of petrifaction

1. noun

   the process of turning some plant material into stone by infiltration with water carrying mineral particles without changing the original shape
   synonyms: petrification

   type of:

   fossilisation, fossilization

   the process of fossilizing a plant or animal that existed in some earlier age; the process of being turned to stone
2. noun

   a rock created by petrifaction; an organic object infiltrated with mineral matter and preserved in its original form
   type of:

   rock, stone

   a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter