The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fossil \Fos"sil\, a. [L. fossilis, fr. fodere to dig: cf. F. fossile. See Fosse.]
Dug out of the earth; as, fossil coal; fossil salt.
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.
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(Paleon.) Like or pertaining to fossils; contained in rocks, whether petrified or not; as, fossil plants, shells.
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.