Fossil Definition

fŏsəl

fossils

noun

fossils

Any rock or mineral dug out of the earth.

Webster's New World

Any hardened remains or imprints of plant or animal life of some previous geologic period, preserved in the earth's crust, including petrified wood and various resins.

Webster's New World

One that is outdated or antiquated.

He was viewed as a fossil after decades in the same job.

American Heritage

A word or morpheme that is used only in certain restricted contexts, as kempt in unkempt, but is otherwise obsolete.

American Heritage

Anything fossilized or like a fossil.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

adjective

Of, having the nature of, or forming a fossil or fossils.

Webster's New World

Being or similar to a fossil.

American Heritage

Belonging to the past; unchanged by progress; antiquated.

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Fossil

Noun

Singular:

fossil

Plural:

fossils

Origin of Fossil

From French fossile, from Latin fossilis (“something which has been dug up”), from fodio (“I dig up”).

From Wiktionary
From Latin fossilis dug up from fossus past participle of fodere to dig

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition