Fos"sil*ist, n. One who is versed in the science of fossils; a
paleontologist. Joseph Black.
Fos`sil*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. fossilisation.] The process of
converting, or of being converted, into a fossil.
Fos"sil*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fossilized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Fossilizing (?).] [Cf. F. fossiliser.] 1. To convert into a fossil; to
petrify; as, to fossilize bones or wood.
2. To cause to become antiquated, rigid, or fixed, as by fossilization;
to mummify; to deaden.
Ten layers of birthdays on a woman's head Are apt to fossilize her
girlish mirth.
Mrs. Browning.
Fos"sil*ize, v. i. 1. To become fossil.
2. To become antiquated, rigid, or fixed, beyond the influence of
change or progress.
Fos"sil*ized (?), a. Converted into a fossil; antiquated; firmly fixed
in views or opinions.
A fossilized sample of confused provincialism.
Earle.
||Fos*so"res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. fossor&?; digger, fr. fodere to
||dig.] (Zoˆl.) A group of hymenopterous insects including the sand
||wasps. They excavate cells in earth, where they deposit their eggs,
||with the bodies of other insects for the food of the young when
||hatched. [Written also Fossoria.]
||Fos*so"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoˆl.) See Fossores.
Fos*so"ri*al (?), a. [L. fossor a digger.] Fitted for digging, adapted
for burrowing or digging; as, a fossorial foot; a fossorial animal.
Fos*so"ri*ous (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Adapted for digging; -- said of the legs
of certain insects.
Fos"su*late (?), a. [L. fossula little ditch, dim. of fossa. See
Fosse.] Having, or surrounded by, long, narrow depressions or furrows.
Fos"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fostered (?), p. pr. & vb. n.
Fostering.] [OE. fostren, fr. AS. fster, fstor, food, nourishment, fr.
fda food. √75. See Food.] 1. To feed; to nourish; to support; to
bring up.
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children.
Shak.
2. To cherish; to promote the growth of; to encourage; to sustain and
promote; as, to foster genius.
Fos"ter, v. i. To be nourished or trained up together. [Obs.] Spenser.
Fos"ter, a. [AS. fster, fstor, nourishment. See Foster, v. t.] Relating
to nourishment; affording, receiving, or sharing nourishment or
nurture; -- applied to father, mother, child, brother, etc., to
indicate that the person so called stands in the relation of parent,
child, brother, etc., as regards sustenance and nurture, but not by tie
of blood.
Foster babe, or child, an infant of child nursed by a woman not its
mother, or bred by a man not its father. -- Foster brother, Foster
sister, one who is, or has been, nursed at the same breast, or brought
up by the same nurse as another, but is not of the same parentage. --
Foster dam, one who takes the place of a mother; a nurse. Dryden. --
Foster earth, earth by which a plant is nourished, though not its
native soil. J. Philips. -- Foster father, a man who takes the place
of a father in caring for a child. Bacon. -- Foster land. (a) Land
allotted for the maintenance of any one. [Obs.] (b) One's adopted
country. -- Foster lean [foster + AS. lÊn a loan See Loan.],
remuneration fixed for the rearing of a foster child; also, the
jointure of a wife. [Obs.] Wharton. -- Foster mother, a woman who takes
a mother's place in the nurture and care of a child; a nurse. -- Foster
nurse, a nurse; a nourisher. [R.] Shak. -- Foster parent, a foster
mother or foster father. -- Foster son, a male foster child.
Fos"ter, n. A forester. [Obs.] Spenser.
Fos"ter*age (?; 48), n. The care of a foster child; the charge of
nursing. Sir W. Raleigh.
Fos"ter*er (?), n. One who, or that which, fosters.
Fos"ter*ling, n. [AS. fstorling.] A foster child.