Petrifaction

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

petrifaction
    n 1: the process of turning some plant material into stone by
         infiltration with water carrying mineral particles without
         changing the original shape [syn: {petrifaction},
         {petrification}]
    2: a rock created by petrifaction; an organic object infiltrated
       with mineral matter and preserved in its original form

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Petrifaction \Pet`ri*fac"tion\, n. [See {Petrify}.]
   1. The process of petrifying, or changing into stone;
      conversion of any organic matter (animal or vegetable)
      into stone, or a substance of stony hardness.
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   2. The state or condition of being petrified.
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   3. That which is petrified; popularly, a body incrusted with
      stony matter; an incrustation.
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   4. Fig.: Hardness; callousness; obduracy. "Petrifaction of
      the soul." --Cudworth.
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