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Glite Dictionary
to lignify

to lignify

9.9
To become woody as plant cells make a hard substance
  • verb
  • /ˈlɪɡnɪˌfaɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lenificar
  • During drought conditions, some plants rapidly lignify their stems to conserve water.

Examples

  • The root tissue will gradually lignify as the tree matures.

  • Botanists study how certain environmental factors cause plant cells to lignify.

  • The cells will lignify over time.

  • As the tree matures, its inner tissues lignify.

  • Botanists study how certain environmental factors cause plant cells to lignify and become harder.

  • During drought conditions, some plants rapidly lignify their stems to reduce water loss.

  • As the tree matures, its inner tissues will lignify, resulting in stronger wood.

Surface Forms

lignify infinitive
lignifying present participle
lignifies third person singular
lignified past
lignified past participle

Morphology

lignify = lign + ify

Formed from the combining form 'lign-' (wood) + the productive verb-forming suffix '-ify'; the root is a technical combining form not a standalone English word, so average learners may not infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word lignify comes from the Latin root lignum meaning 'wood' and the ending -ify meaning 'to make'. So, to lignify is to 'become' or 'be made' into wood, which is why people use it for plant tissue that turns woody.