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fossil

Fossil Fos"sil, a. [L. fossilis, fr. fodere to dig: cf. F. fossile. See Fosse.] 1. Dug out of the earth; as, fossil coal; fossil salt. [1913 Webster]

2. preserved from a previous geological age; as, fossil water from deep wells; -- usually implying that the object so described has had its substance modified by long residence in the ground, but also used (as with fossil water) in cases where chemical composition is not altered. [PJC]

3. (Paleon.) Like or pertaining to fossils; contained in rocks, whether petrified or not; as, fossil plants, shells. [1913 Webster]

{Fossil copal}, a resinous substance, first found in the blue clay at Highgate, near London, and apparently a vegetable resin, partly changed by remaining in the earth.

{Fossil cork}, {Fossil flax}, {Fossil paper}, or {Fossil wood}, varieties of amianthus.

{Fossil farina}, a soft carbonate of lime.

{Fossil ore}, fossiliferous red hematite. --Raymond. [1913 Webster]

Fossil Fos"sil, n. 1. A substance dug from the earth. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Note: Formerly all minerals were called fossils, but the word is now restricted to express the remains of animals and plants found buried in the earth. --Ure. [1913 Webster]

2. (Paleon.) The remains of an animal or plant found in stratified rocks. Most fossils belong to extinct species, but many of the later ones belong to species still living. [1913 Webster]

3. A person whose views and opinions are extremely antiquated; one whose sympathies are with a former time rather than with the present. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]