fossilize

[fos-uh-lahyz]

See more synonyms for fossilize on Thesaurus.com

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.

Also especially British, fos·sil·ise.

Origin of fossilize

First recorded in 1785–95; fossil + -ize

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. 2018

Related Words for fossilization

freezing, coagulation, concretion, setting, petrification, fossilization, crystallization, ossification, calcification

Examples from the Web for fossilization

Historical Examples of fossilization

Such hard parts or shells were commonly favorable for fossilization.
Geology
William J. Miller
To evoking the instincts of bygone ages, which have not been preserved by fossilization?
More Hunting Wasps
J. Henri Fabre
Till men began to wonder at the stratification of rocks, and the fossilization of shells, there was no science of Geology.
Westminster Sermons
Charles Kingsley
A very common kind of fossilization is the preservation of only the hard parts of organisms.
Geology
William J. Miller
Glimpses there were of the handy, affectionate, sympathizing woman, emerging from fossilization.
Idolatry
Julian Hawthorne

British Dictionary definitions for fossilization

fossilize

fossilise

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fossilization

fossilize

1794, from fossil + -ize. Figurative use from 1856. Related: Fossilized; fossilizing.