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.
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.]
2. (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}, {flax}, {paper}, or {wood}, varieties of
amianthus.
{Fossil farina}, a soft carbonate of lime.
{Fossil ore}, fossiliferous red hematite. --Raymond.