fossilize
[ fos-uh-lahyz ]
/ ˈfɒs əˌlaɪz /
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.
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Nearby words
fossil fuel, fossil fuels, fossil gum, fossil record, fossiliferous, fossilize, fossor, fossorial, fossula, foster, foster brother
Also especially British, fos·sil·ise.
Related formsfos·sil·iz·a·ble, adjectivefos·sil·i·za·tion, nounsem·i·fos·sil·ized, adjectiveun·fos·sil·ized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for fossilization
British Dictionary definitions for fossilization
fossilize
fossilise
/ (ˈfɒsɪˌlaɪz) /
verb
to convert or be converted into a fossil
to become or cause to become antiquated or inflexible
Derived Formsfossilizable or fossilisable, adjectivefossilization or fossilisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for fossilization
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper