fossiliferous
|fos-si-lif-er-ous|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌfɑːsəˈlɪfərəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌfɒsɪˈlɪfərəs/
containing fossils
Etymology
Etymology Information
'fossiliferous' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'fossilis' meaning 'dug up' and the suffix '-ferous' from 'ferre' meaning 'to bear' or 'to carry.'
Historical Evolution
'fossiliferous' was formed in English in the early 19th century by combining 'fossil' and '-iferous,' and has been used in geology since then.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'bearing fossils' and this meaning has remained unchanged in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
containing or composed of fossils.
The fossiliferous rocks in this region are of great interest to geologists.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/07 18:10