fossilize

IPA/ˈfɒsəlaɪz/
KK[fˈɑsəlˌaɪz]IPA/ˈfɑːsəlaɪz/

fossilize — verb

  • fossilizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • fossilizeshe / she / it
  • fossilizedpast simple
  • fossilizing-ing form

1. when a dead creature or plant fossilizes, it slowly changes into a stone-like su

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

when a dead creature or plant fossilizes, it slowly changes into a stone-like substance that stays trapped inside rock for millions of years; scientists can also fossilize a specimen in a laboratory

例句

The ancient pine tree fell into the swamp and slowly fossilized beneath layers of mud.

intransitive: subject undergoes fossilization naturally

Dr. Yan showed the research team how to fossilize a fish skull using laboratory chemicals.

transitive + how to: human agent fossilizes an object in a lab

同義詞
  • petrify

    more specific — refers to organic material turning to stone, especially wood

  • mineralize

    broader — describes any replacement of organic matter with minerals, not necessarily forming a visible fossil

反義詞
  • decay

    the opposite process — organic matter breaks down instead of being preserved

  • decompose

    similar to decay, emphasises rotting away rather than preservation

文法句型

fossilize (intransitive)

fossilize + object (transitive)

用法筆記

Intransitive use (something fossilizes by itself) is far more common than transitive. The transitive form is mostly restricted to scientific writing about laboratory procedures.

常見錯誤

❌The museum fossilized the dinosaur egg yesterday.
✅The dinosaur egg fossilized in the ground over millions of years.
💡Fossilization is an extremely slow natural process, not something that happens quickly in a museum.
❌The leaf fossilized in the sun.
✅The leaf fossilized under layers of sediment and rock.
💡Fossilization requires burial in sediment, not exposure to air or sunlight.

2. if a person, organization, system, or way of thinking fossilizes, it becomes so

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

if a person, organization, system, or way of thinking fossilizes, it becomes so rigid that it can no longer accept new ideas, usually because it has not changed for a very long time

例句

After the founder stepped down, the company's management style fossilized and profits fell sharply.

inanimate subject: [organization's attribute] fossilizes

Tomás worried that his cooking skills had fossilized because he made only three dishes.

同義詞
  • stagnate

    more common and milder — describes a lack of growth that may be temporary

  • ossify

    more formal, often used of institutions or political systems becoming rigid

反義詞
  • evolve

    to change and develop gradually in a positive direction

  • adapt

    to adjust to new conditions, the opposite of becoming fixed

  • modernize

    to adopt new methods or ideas, specifically updating rather than staying outdated

文法句型

fossilize (no object)

fossilize into [something negative]

用法筆記

Subject is almost always an abstract noun (system, organization, mind, habits) — never a literal once-living thing. The meaning is always negative: losing the capacity to grow or adapt.

常見錯誤

❌The organization fossilized into a modern, efficient company.
✅The organization fossilized into a rigid, old-fashioned system.
💡Fossilizing is always negative and implies becoming outdated, not modern.
❌His ideas fossilized quickly because he read many books.
✅His ideas fossilized because he refused to consider any new viewpoints.
💡The cause of fossilization is a lack of change or openness, not speed.