ossification

n. [ Cf. F. ossification. See Ossify. ] 1. (Physiol.) The formation of bone; the process, in the growth of an animal, by which inorganic material (mainly lime salts) is deposited in cartilage or membrane, forming bony tissue; ostosis. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Besides the natural ossification of growing tissue, there is the so-called accidental ossification which sometimes follows certain abnormal conditions, as in the ossification of an artery. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being changed into a bony substance; also, a mass or point of ossified tissue. [ 1913 Webster ]