View synonyms for calcify

calcify

[ kal-suh-fahy ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with or without object)

, cal·ci·fied, cal·ci·fy·ing.

Physiology. to make or become calcareous or bony; harden by the deposit of calcium salts.
Geology. to harden by deposition of calcium carbonate.
to make or become rigid or intransigent, as in a political position.

calcify

/ ˈkælsɪˌfaɪ /

Origin of calcify¹

First recorded in 1830–40; calci- + -fy

At the fifth year the second permanent molars, and at the eighth year the third molars or wisdom teeth, begin to calcify.

The permanent molars begin to calcify at the twenty-fifth week of fœtal life.

My father did not achieve that for himself, as his arteries had started to calcify before he discovered the immortality vitamin.

The underlying blood coagulates rapidly, and the periosteum begins to calcify within a few weeks, as shown by the X-ray.

The permanent incisors do not calcify until a year after birth.

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