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A flowering; florification. [R.] Craig.

Pertaining to, made of, or resembling, floss; hence, light; downy.

Holding or held formerly in possession. [Obs.]

A pit, groove, cavity, or depression, of greater or less depth; as, the temporal fossa on the side of the skull; the nasal fossæ containing the nostrils in most birds.

A species of civet (Viverra fossa) resembling the genet.

See Fossa. Fosse road. See Fosseway.

A faucet. [Obs.] Shak.

A little hollow; hence, a dimple.

ds constructed by the Romans in England and other parts of Europe; -- so called from the fosse or ditch on each side for keeping it dry.

To search for gold by picking at stone or earth or among roots in isolated spots, picking over abandoned workings, etc.; hence, to steal gold or auriferous matter from another's claim. [Australia]

Dug out of the eart; as, fossil coal; fossil salt.

Containing or composed of fossils.

The process of becoming fossil.

The science or state of fossils. Coleridge.

One who is versed in the science of fossils; a paleontologist. Joseph Black.

The process of converting, or of being converted, into a fossil.

To convert into a fossil; to petrify; as, to fossilize bones or wood.

Converted into a fossil; antiquated; firmly fixed in views or opinions. A fossilized sample of confused provincialism. Earle.

, with the bodies of other insects for the food of the young when hatched. [Written also Fossoria.]

See Fossores.