1. A process of fossilization in which dissolved minerals replace organic matter: Petrifaction results when an organism is quickly buried in mud, sand, or volcanic ash and becomes a fossil.

During the process of petrifaction, dissolved minerals enter openings in bones and other hard parts of organisms little by little until the materials that the objects were composed of have become like stone.

There are those who say that even microscopic cells can be preserved by petrifaction.

2. A condition in which someone is being stunned or paralyzed with fear: Not only was it pitch black in Sara's house, but hearing footsteps and heavy breathing threw her completely into petrifaction, making it impossible for her to move.