ˈfɔsl n. & adj. --n. 1
the remains or
impression of a (usu. prehistoric)
plant or
animal hardened in rock (often attrib. : fossil bones; fossil shells). 2 colloq. an
antiquated or
unchanging person or
thing. 3 a
word that has become obsolete except in set phrases or forms, e.g.
hue in hue
and cry. --adj. 1 of or like a fossil. 2 antiquated;
out of date. øfossil
fuel a
natural fuel
such as
coal or
gas formed in the geological
past from the remains of
living organisms. fossil
ivory see IVORY. øøfossiliferous adj. fossilize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). fossilization n. [F fossile f. L fossilis f. fodere fossdig]