19 December 2014

ossify

[os-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object), ossified, ossifying.
1. to convert into or cause to harden like bone.
verb (used without object), ossified, ossifying.
2. to become bone or harden like bone.
3. to become rigid or inflexible in habits, attitudes, opinions, etc.:
a young man who began to ossify right after college.

Origin

Latin
1705-1715; < Latin ossi- (stem of os) bone + -fy

Related forms

ossifier, noun
unossifying, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for ossify
– Each of the lateral parts begins to ossify from a single center during the eighth week of fetal life.
– His world-views became ossified because he confused fact with opinion.

Today’s aphorism

Just because we cannot do everything for everyone, does not mean we should do nothing for anyone.

– Bill Clinton

On this day

19 December 1847 – death of Emily Bronte, author of the novel, ‘Wuthering Heights‘. Born 30 July 1818.

19 December 1915 – birth of Édith Piaf, French singer. Born Édith Giovanna Gassion, died 10 October 1963.