'Petrifying' definitions:

Definition of 'petrifying'

adjective

Paralyzing with terror

From: GCIDE

Petrify \Pet"ri*fy\ (p[e^]t"r[i^]*f[imac]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petrified; p. pr. & vb. n. Petrifying.] [L. petra rock, Gr. pe`tra (akin to pe`tros a stone) + -fy: cf. F. p['e]trifier. Cf. Parrot, Petrel, Pier.]
1. To convert, as any animal or vegetable matter, into stone or stony substance; as, petrified wood. [1913 Webster]
A river that petrifies any sort of wood or leaves. --Kirwan. [1913 Webster]
2. To make callous or obdurate; to transform, as by petrifaction; as, to petrify the heart. Young. "Petrifying accuracy." --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
And petrify a genius to a dunce. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
A hideous fatalism, which ought, logically, to petrify your volition. --G. Eliot. [1913 Webster]
3. To paralyze, especially with fear; to stupefy; as, she was petrified by the sight of the bear in her tent. [PJC]
The poor, petrified journeyman, quite unconscious of what he was doing. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]