calcify
verb
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What is the difference between ossify and calcify?
Medically speaking, ossify refers to the process by which bone forms, or by which tissue (usually cartilage) changes into bone. Ossification is a natural process that starts in utero and which comprises several different steps—one of which is the deposit of calcium salts, also known as calcification. Calcify, however, only refers to the deposit of calcium salts in soft tissue and is not synonymous with ossify. Ossification creates bone tissue, which is more than simply a deposit of calcium salts.
Both ossify and calcify have gained more general uses as well. Calcify refers to hardening, to becoming inflexible and unable to change:
What were once upstart revisionist currents calcified into self-regarding academic sub-specialties, sponsoring plenty of analysis but little fundamental debate.
— Sean Wilentz, The New Republic, 2 July 2001
Ossify refers to becoming inflexible, conventional, and resistant to change:
For these writers, the ossified ideologies of the world, imbedded in the communal imagination, block vision, and as artists they respond not by criticism from without but by confrontation from within.
—Robert Coover, The New York Times Book Review, 18 Mar. 1984
While ossify generally has a slightly more disparaging connotation to it than calcify does in general uses, our evidence shows that the two words are beginning to merge semantically.
Examples of calcify in a Sentence
Ben Tarnoff, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2024
White Sox management has long been thought of as calcified in its strategies, disinclined to make changes, and not evolving with the rest of the sport.
—Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024
And then the good couple is looking to them, because they are calcified and struggling.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Sep. 2024
Sununu announced to the nearest reporters that Haley would be taking a couple of questions after she was done conversing at her current table; word reverberated through the oozing mass of reporters, who soon calcified into a phalanx of cameras and upthrusted cell phones, ready to record.
—Kyle Paoletta, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calcify 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calcify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near calcify
Cite this Entry
“Calcify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calcify. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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calcify
verb
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calcify
verb
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