[fos-uh-lahyz] /ˈfɒs əˌlaɪz/
verb (used with object), fossilized, fossilizing.
Geology. to convert into a ; replace organic with mineral substances in the remains of an organism.
to change as if into mere lifeless remains or traces of the past.
to make rigidly antiquated:
Time has fossilized such methods.
verb (used without object), fossilized, fossilizing.
to become a or fossillike:
The plant fossilized in comparatively recent geologic time.
Linguistics. (of a linguistic form, feature, rule, etc.) to become permanently established in the interlanguage of a second-language learner in a form that is deviant from the target-language norm and that continues to appear in performance regardless of further exposure to the target language.
to convert or be converted into a fossil
to become or cause to become antiquated or inflexible
1794, from fossil + -ize. Figurative use from 1856. Related: Fossilized; fossilizing.
- Fossil record
A term used by paleontologists (see paleontology) to refer to the total number of fossils that have been discovered, as well as to the information derived from them. (See evolution of Earth.)
[fos-uh l] /ˈfɒs əl/ noun 1. any remains, impression, or trace of a living thing of a former geologic age, as a skeleton, footprint, etc. 2. a markedly outdated or old-fashioned person or thing. 3. a linguistic form that is archaic except in certain restricted contexts, as nonce in for the nonce, or that follows […]
noun 1. . noun 1. fossil bone or ivory that has been colored naturally or artificially so as to resemble turquoise. noun 1. fossilized bone or tooth stained blue with iron phosphate and used as a gemstone Also called odontolite
[fos-er] /ˈfɒs ər/ noun 1. (in the early Christian church) a minor clergyman employed as a gravedigger.