Definition of Ossify

1. Verb. Become bony. "The tissue ossified"

Generic synonyms: Change State, Turn
Derivative terms: Ossification

2. Verb. Make rigid and set into a conventional pattern. "Slogans petrify our thinking"
Exact synonyms: Petrify, Rigidify
Generic synonyms: Stiffen
Derivative terms: Ossification, Ossification, Rigidity, Rigidity

3. Verb. Cause to become hard and bony. "The disease ossified the tissue"
Generic synonyms: Alter, Change, Modify
Derivative terms: Ossification

Definition of Ossify

1. v. t. To form into bone; to change from a soft animal substance into bone, as by the deposition of lime salts.

2. v. i. To become bone; to change from a soft tissue to a hard bony tissue.

Definition of Ossify

1. Verb. (ambitransitive) To transform (or cause to transform) from a softer animal substance into bone; particularly the processes of growth in humans and animals. ¹

2. Verb. (ambitransitive animate) To become (or cause to become) inflexible and rigid in habits or opinions. ¹

3. Verb. (ambitransitive inanimate) To grow (or cause to grow) formulaic and permanent. ¹

4. Verb. (rare) To calcify. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Ossify

1. to convert into bone [v -FIED, -FYING, -FIES]

Medical Definition of Ossify

1. 1. To form into bone; to change from a soft animal substance into bone, as by the deposition of lime salts. 2. To harden; as, to ossify the heart. Origin: L. Os, ossis, bone + -fy: cf. F. Ossifier. See Osseous. To become bone; to change from a soft tissue to a hard bony tissue. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Ossify

ossiculum
ossiferous
ossific
ossific centre
ossification
ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament
ossifications
ossified
ossifier
ossifiers
ossifies
ossiform
ossifrage
ossifrages
ossifragous
ossify (current term)
ossifying
ossifying cartilage
ossilegium
ossis
ossivorous
osso buco
ossuaries
ossuary
ost-
ostea
osteal
ostealgia
ostealgic
osteanagenesis

Literary usage of Ossify

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Trial of Scott Nearing and the American Socialist Society: Presiding by Scott Nearing, American Socialist Society (1919)
"... and all chance of progress, and you simply ossify and become fixed in character and type. If they are not allowed to tell you what else they believe, ..."

2. Textbook of human physiology by Leonard Landois, William Stirling (1889)
"Cartilages.—The thyroid, cricoid, and nearly the whole of the arytenoid cartilages consist of hyaline cartilage. The two former are prone to ossify. ..."

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