calcify

3 definitions found

calcify - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Calcify \Cal"ci*fy\ (k[a^]l"s[i^]*f[imac]), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     Calcified (-f[imac]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Calcifying.] [L.
     calx, calcis, lime + -fy.]
     To make stony or calcareous by the deposit or secretion of
     salts of lime.
     [1913 Webster]

  Calcify \Cal"ci*fy\, v. i.
     To become changed into a stony or calcareous condition, in
     which lime is a principal ingredient, as in the formation of
     teeth.
     [1913 Webster]

calcify - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  calcify
      v 1: become impregnated with calcium salts [ant: decalcify]
      2: become inflexible and unchanging; "Old folks can calcify"
      3: turn into lime; become calcified; "The rock calcified over
         the centuries"
      4: convert into lime; "the salts calcified the rock"