E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fossils.
Things dug up, animal and vegetable remains-dug out of the earth. (Latin, fodio, to dig up.)
1
“Many other bodies, which, because we discover them by digging into the bowels of the earth, are called by one common name—fossils, under which are comprehended metals and minerals.” [Not now.]—Locke.
