fossil word

noun

A word that is broadly obsolete but remains in current use because it is contained within an idiom that is still in use.

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Meanings

nounfossil word (plural fossil words)

plural fossil words

  1. human sciencesA word that is broadly obsolete but remains in current use because it is contained within an idiom that is still in use.

Origin

Probably from the fact that a fossil was once a living organism, but is still of historical and scientific interest.

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Cite this entry
APA

fossil word. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fossil%20word

MLA

“fossil word.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fossil%20word. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fossil word,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fossil%20word.

Source: fossil word on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.