verbverb
versteinern
petrify
The German word "versteinern" is a verb meaning "to petrify" or "to fossilize". It is composed of the prefix "ver-" and the noun "Stein", which means "stone".
- Stein = stone
"Versteinern" literally means "to turn into stone."
Similar words:
- verhornen (to keratinize, become horny)
- verkitten (to caulk, seal)
- härten (to harden)
Differences:
- Versteinern specifically implies turning something organic or soft into stone-like material (e.g., fossil formation).
- Other words like härten only mean "to harden," without the transformation into stone.
- Verhornen refers to tissue thickening, not mineralization.
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Examples
Die Figuren versteinern langsam im Garten.verb
The figures slowly turn to stone in the garden.
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