fossilize

 
Pronunciation: /ˈfɒs(ə)lʌɪz, ˈfɒsɪlʌɪz/
(also fossilise)

verb

[with object]
  • preserve (an animal or plant) so that it becomes a fossil: the hard parts of the body are readily fossilized
  • [no object] become a fossil: flowers do not readily fossilize
  • become or cause to become fixed and incapable of change or development: [with object]: we want to see a working countryside—we don’t want to see it fossilized

Derivatives

fossilization

Pronunciation: /-ˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun