fosa.html - n.
(pl. fossae) Anat. a shallow depression or cavity. [L, = ditch, fem. past part. of fodere dig]

fosa.html - n.
1 a long narrow trench or excavation, esp. in a fortification.
2 Anat. = FOSSA. [ME f. OF f. L fossa: see FOSSA]

fosa.html - v.intr. Austral. & NZ colloq.
1 (foll. by about, around) rummage, search.
2 search for gold etc. in abandoned workings.

fossicker n. [19th c.: cf. dial. fossick bustle about]

fosa.html - n. & adj.
--n.

1 the remains or impression of a (usu. prehistoric) plant or animal hardened in rock (often attrib. : fossil bones; fossil shells).
2 colloq. an antiquated or unchanging person or thing.
3 a word that has become obsolete except in set phrases or forms, e.g. hue in hue and cry.

--adj.

1 of or like a fossil.
2 antiquated; out of date.

fossil fuel a natural fuel such as coal or gas formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. fossil ivory see IVORY .

fossiliferous adj. fossilize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). fossilization n. [F fossile f. L fossilis f. fodere foss- dig]

fosa.html - adj.
1 (of animals) burrowing.
2 (of limbs etc.) used in burrowing. [med.L fossorius f. fossor digger (as FOSSIL)]

fosa.html - v. & adj.
--v.

tr.
1 a promote the growth or development of. b encourage or harbour (a feeling).
2 (of circumstances) be favourable to.
3 a bring up (a child that is not one's own by birth). b Brit. (of a local authority etc.) assign (a child) to be fostered.
4 cherish; have affectionate regard for (an idea, scheme, etc.).

--adj.

1 having a family connection by fostering and not by birth (foster-brother; foster-child; foster-parent).
2 involving or concerned with fostering a child (foster care; foster home).

fosterage n. (esp. in sense 3 of v.). fosterer n. [OE fostrian, foster, rel. to FOOD]