early 15c., of swellings, inflammations, etc., "hardened;" by 1660s as "turned to stone," from a French or Medieval Latin source (see petrify). Figurative meaning "paralyzed (with fright, etc.)" is from 1720.
Petrarchan
petrel
Petri dish
petrifaction
petrification
petrified
petrify
petro-
petrochemical
petrodollar
petroglyph
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