fossil

English

/ˈfɒsəl/, /ˈfɑːsəl/

noun
Definitions
  • The mineralized remains of an animal or plant.
  • (paleontology) Any preserved evidence of ancient life, including shells, imprints, burrows, coprolites, and organically-produced chemicals.
  • (linguistics) A fossil word.
  • (figuratively) Anything extremely old, extinct, or outdated.

Etymology

Derived from French fossile derived from Latin fossilis (something which has been dug up, dug up, fossil, retrieved from the earth, dug out).

Origin

Latin

fossilis

Gloss

something which has been dug up, dug up, fossil, retrieved from the earth, dug out

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms