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.
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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. 2022
How to use fossilize in a sentence
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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