1. preserved as a fossil; turned into stone over long periods of time
2. outdated and resistant to change; rigid in old ways
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The fossilized dinosaur bones were millions of years old.
• Scientists discovered fossilized leaves in the rock formation.
• The museum displayed fossilized shells from ancient seas.
• His fossilized thinking prevented him from accepting new ideas.
• The company’s fossilized policies needed updating.
• She found a fossilized fish embedded in limestone.
• The fossilized bureaucracy resisted all attempts at reform.