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Fossil Words: Archaic Terms Preserved in Everyday Phrases

A fossil word is a word that has become broadly obsolete but survives because it is preserved inside a fixed phrase or idiom. Learn about the fossil words that still circulate in the English language.

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Fossil Words: Archaic Terms Preserved in Everyday Phrases

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quiescent

Featured Articles

Language

Fossil Words: Archaic Terms Preserved in Everyday Phrases

This Week in Words

This Week in Words: News from March 21–March 27, 2026

Business & Finance

"Bull Market" vs. "Bear Market": What Do These Financial Terms Mean for Your Wallet?

Slang

What Does Chopped Mean in Slang?

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