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.
Also especially British, fos·sil·ise.

Origin of fossilize

First recorded in 1785–95; fossil + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM fossilize

fos·sil·iz·a·ble, adjective fos·sil·i·za·tion, noun sem·i·fos·sil·ized, adjective un·fos·sil·ized, adjective

Example sentences 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 forms of fossilize

fossilizable or fossilisable, adjective fossilization or fossilisation, noun