ossify
verb
To turn into bone or bony tissue; to become rigid or inflexible in habits, attitudes, or beliefs. Describes both physical and metaphorical hardening.
Etymology
From Latin "os" (bone) + "-fy" (to make), through French "ossifier." The medical meaning came first, with the figurative meaning developing in the 19th century.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"Cartilage gradually ossifies into bone as children grow."
- 2.
"The once-innovative company had ossified into a bureaucratic giant."
- 3.
"His political views ossified early and never changed despite new evidence."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Human babies are born with about 270 bones, but many ossify and fuse together as they grow. Adults typically have only 206 bones. This process continues until around age 25.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 6 letters (O, S, S, I, F, Y)
Scrabble Value: 12 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "OSSIFY" appears in many related words.
Put Your Vocabulary to the Test!
Ready to find words like "ossify" in a puzzle? Try today's Zabble challenge!