Etymology Explorer › Norwegian Nynorsk

Where does “fossil” come from?

fossil (Norwegian Nynorsk) comes from Latin fossilis, from Latin fossa, from Latin fodiō, from Proto-Indo-European bʰod- — to pierce, dig.

fossil (Norwegian Nynorsk): fossilised , fossilized, or fossil; a fossil

Definitions

  1. fossilised , fossilized, or fossil; a fossil

Ancestry of “fossil”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinfossilisRetrieved from the earth, dug out, dug up,...
2Latinfossaditch, trench, moat; gutter, waterway; grave
3Latinfodiō—
4Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰod-to pierce, dig

Words derived from “fossil”

  • fossile
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰod- →