51Թ

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View synonyms for

fossilize

[ fos-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

fossilized, fossilizing.
  1. Geology. to convert into a fossil; replace organic with mineral substances in the remains of an organism.
  2. to change as if into mere lifeless remains or traces of the past.
  3. to make rigidly antiquated:

    Time has fossilized such methods.



verb (used without object)

fossilized, fossilizing.
  1. to become a fossil or like a fossil:

    The plant fossilized in comparatively recent geologic time.

  2. 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.

fossilize

/ ˈɒɪˌɪ /

verb

  1. to convert or be converted into a fossil
  2. to become or cause to become antiquated or inflexible
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈڴDzˌ, adjective
  • ˌڴDzˈپDz, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ڴDzs·a· adjective
  • ڴDzȴ··tDz noun
  • i·ڴDzs· adjective
  • ܲ·ڴDzs· adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of fossilize1

First recorded in 1785–95; fossil + -ize
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Researchers in this study also revisited an analysis of fossilized placoid scales, or tiny tooth-like scales that cover sharks, from the megalodon.

From

The critical clue for Sanei was a naturally occurring material called inertinite, a stable form of organic carbon in Earth’s crust, formed when wildfires char forests and the burned vegetation fossilizes.

From

Although he understands the rationale, Kim sees this as part of a wider trend of abandoning Korean words simply because they feel old-fashioned, fossilizing them even further.

From

A piece of fossilized vomit dating back to the time of the dinosaurs has been discovered in Denmark.

From

“None of us are interested in fossilized discipline practices and processes,” Newman added.

From

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