solidify; congeal; become rigid
Meanings
2 senses · 10 examplesverb
to solidify; to congeal; to coagulate
neutralDescribes a physical process where a liquid changes to a solid state, often due to cooling or chemical reaction.
Water solidifies into ice below zero degrees.
Blood coagulates rapidly when exposed to air.
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This glue takes a few minutes to solidify.
The molten metal slowly solidifies in the mold.
Protein will coagulate when heated.
verb
to become rigid; to stagnate; to fixate
neutralUsed metaphorically to describe ideas, expressions, or situations that become fixed and unchanging, often with a negative connotation.
His thinking has become rigid; he refuses to accept anything new.
Upon hearing the terrible news, the smile on her face instantly froze.
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The negotiations reached a deadlock because both sides' positions became fixed.
He looked at her, his gaze fixed, as if time had stopped.
If a social system remains unchanged for a long time, it easily becomes stagnant.