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erstarren

to freeze, stiffen from shock or cold

verb er-SHTAR-ren Rare

Usage Note

Erstarren describes the body going rigid — from shock, extreme cold, or paralysing fear. Vor Schreck erstarren = to freeze with fright. Used both for physical and emotional reactions.

Examples

"Sie erstarrte vor Schreck, als sie das Geräusch hörte."

Natural Translation

She froze in fright when she heard the noise.

Literal Translation

She stiffened from fright when she the noise heard.

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