fossilize
[ fos-uh-lahyz ]
/ ˈfɒs əˌlaɪz /
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verb (used with object), fos·sil·ized, fos·sil·iz·ing.
Geology. to convert into a fossil; 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), fos·sil·ized, fos·sil·iz·ing.
to become a fossil or like a fossil: 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.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Also especially British, fos·sil·ise .
OTHER WORDS FROM fossilize
fos·sil·iz·a·ble, adjectivefos·sil·i·za·tion, nounsem·i·fos·sil·ized, adjectiveun·fos·sil·ized, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for fossilize
British Dictionary definitions for fossilize
fossilize
fossilise
/ (ˈfɒsɪˌlaɪz) /
verb
to convert or be converted into a fossil
to become or cause to become antiquated or inflexible
Derived forms of fossilize
fossilizable or fossilisable, adjectivefossilization or fossilisation, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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