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.
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
- to convert or be converted into lime
- to harden or become hardened by impregnation with calcium salts
v.1785 (implied in calcified), from French calcifier, from stem of Latin calcem “lime” (see chalk (n.)) + -fy. Related: Calcifying; calcification. v.
- To make or become stony or chalky by deposition of calcium salts.