1. the developmental process of bone formation (Freq. 6) • Hypernyms: organic process, biological process 2. the calcification of soft tissue into a bonelike material • Derivationally related forms: ossify • Hypernyms: calcification 3. the process of becoming rigidly fixed in a conventional pattern of thought or behavior • Derivationally related forms: ossify • Hypernyms: human process 4. hardened conventionality • Syn: conformity • Derivationally related forms: ossify • Hypernyms: conventionality, convention, conventionalism