Petrify (verb)

1. To turn organic matter into stone.
2. To make someone or something become rigid, motionless, or unresponsive, as if turned to stone.

Origin:

The word petrify comes from the latin word "petrificare" which means "to turn into stone" and it was first used in english in the late 16th century to describe the process of turning organic matter into stone.

Examples:

1. The fossils were formed when the animals were petrified by being buried in volcanic ash.
2. The sight of the snake petrified her, and she was unable to move.
3. The news of the accident petrified the family members.
4. The wood was petrified over time, creating a beautiful and unique natural stone.
5. The statue was created by petrifying a real tree.