Lignified is a term used to describe the process of wood or plant matter becoming hardened and woody due to the deposition of lignin, a complex organic polymer. Some common synonyms for lignified include hardened, woody, fossilized, petrified, ossified, and solidified. Other synonyms might include rigid, stiffened, calloused, or toughened. These terms can be used interchangeably to describe the process by which organic material becomes hard and brittle, losing its pliability and flexibility. Lignification can occur naturally in plants as they age, or it can be induced through various chemical or physical processes, such as impregnation with synthetic materials or exposure to extreme environmental conditions.