( BrE also fos·sil·ise ) / ˈfɒsəlaɪz; NAmE ˈfɑːs-/ verb
1.
[ usually passive ] to become or make sth become a fossil :
[ vn ]
fossilized bones
[also v ]
2.
[ v , vn ] ( disapproving ) to become, or make sb/sth become, fixed and unable to change or develop
► fos·sil·iza·tion , fos·sil·isa·tion / ˌfɒsəlaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmE ˌfɑːsələˈz-/ noun [ U ]