intransitive verb
Definition: To turn into stone or to become very hard and unyielding, often used metaphorically to describe a state of being frozen in fear or shock.
Example: When she saw the giant spider, she seemed to petrify in place, unable to move.
transitive verb
Definition: To make someone very frightened or shocked, so that they cannot move or think clearly.
Example: The sudden loud noise seemed to petrify the children, leaving them frozen in place.