fossilize
/ˈfɑsəlaɪz/
verb
- To become a fossil; to turn into stone or a hard, preserved form over a very long time.
- Over millions of years, the dinosaur bones began to fossilize in the rock.
- The scientists were excited to see how the ancient tree had started to fossilize.
- Not every dead plant or animal will fossilize; special conditions are needed.
- To make something into a fossil; to preserve in a fossilized state.
- They used a special resin to fossilize the insect for display.
- Extreme cold can sometimes fossilize soft tissues that would otherwise decay.
- The volcanic ash helped fossilize the footprints of early humans.
- To become fixed, unchanging, or outdated; to stop developing or adapting.
- Languages can fossilize in isolated communities, preserving ancient words.
- If you never learn new skills, your thinking can fossilize over time.
- The company's rigid rules caused its culture to fossilize, driving away young talent.