ossified
|os-si-fied|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑː.sɪ.faɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˈɒs.ɪ.faɪd/
(ossify)
to harden or become rigid
Etymology
'ossify' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ossificare', where 'os' meant 'bone' and 'facere' meant 'to make'.
'ossificare' transformed into the French word 'ossifier', and eventually became the modern English word 'ossify'.
Initially, it meant 'to turn into bone', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to become rigid or fixed in position'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'ossify'.
The cartilage ossified over time.
Adjective 1
hardened like or into bone; rigidly conventional and opposed to change.
The ossified structures of the organization made it difficult to implement new ideas.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/13 11:16