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adj. 1 of or like a fossil. 2 antiquated; out of date. fossil fuel a natural fuel such as coal or gas formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. fossil ivory see IVORY. fossiliferous adj. fossilize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). fossilization n.
[ F fossile f. L fossilis f. fodere foss- dig ]