SILICIFY

Etymology

Verb

silicify (third-person singular simple present silicifies, present participle silicifying, simple past and past participle silicified)

(transitive) to impregnate something with silica.

(intransitive) to be impregnated with, or converted into silica.

Source: Wiktionary

Si*lic"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Silicified; p. pr. & vb. n. Silicifying.] Etym: [L. silex, silicis, a flint + -fy: cf. F. silicifier.] (Chem.)

Definition: To convert into, or to impregnate with, silica, or with the compounds of silicon. The specimens found . . . are completely silicified. Say.

Note: The silica may take the form of agate, chalcedony, flint, hornstone, or crystalline quartz.

Si*lic"i*fy, v. i.

Definition: To become converted into silica, or to be impregnated with silica.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition