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.
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.
3. A person whose views and opinions are extremely antiquated; one
whose sympathies are with a former time rather than with the present.
[Colloq.]
Fos`sil*if"er*ous (?), a. [Fossil + -ferous.] (Paleon.) Containing or
composed of fossils.
Fos*sil`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Fossil + L. facere to make.] The process
of becoming fossil.
Fos"sil*ism (?), n. 1. The science or state of fossils. Coleridge.