nonfossil
|non-fos-sil|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑnˈfɑsəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnˈfɒs(ə)l/
not from fossil fuels
Etymology
'nonfossil' originates from English, specifically from the prefix 'non-' + the word 'fossil', where 'non-' meant 'not' and 'fossil' ultimately comes from Latin 'fossilis' meaning 'dug up'.
'fossil' entered English via Medieval Latin 'fossilis' and Old French 'fossile'; the English negative prefix 'non-' has been productively attached to nouns and adjectives in modern usage, producing the compound 'nonfossil' in technical and policy contexts.
Initially, 'fossil' referred to something 'dug up' from the ground; over time it came to denote remains or fuels formed from ancient organic matter ('fossil fuels'), and 'nonfossil' developed to mean 'not derived from fossil fuels' in energy-related usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an energy source or material that is not a fossil fuel (e.g., wind or solar; in some contexts may include nuclear).
Investments in nonfossils such as solar and wind have increased this year.
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Adjective 1
not derived from or consisting of fossil fuels; non–fossil-based (often used for energy or fuel).
The government announced a target to increase nonfossil energy generation by 2030.
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Last updated: 2025/10/23 23:39