1. (

• fossilize ,
• fossilise

) convert to a fossil; "The little animals fossilized and are now embedded in the limestone" ;

2. (

• fossilize ,
• fossilise ,

) become mentally inflexible ;

1. (

• fossilized ,
• fossilised ,
• ossified

) set in a rigidly conventional pattern of behavior, habits, or beliefs; "obsolete fossilized ways"; "an ossified bureaucratic system" ;