fossiliferous

[ fos-uh-lif-er-uhs ]

adjective

1. bearing or containing fossils, as rocks or strata.

fossiliferous

/ ˌfɒsɪˈlɪfərəs /

adjective

1. (of sedimentary rocks) containing fossils

Other Words From

• nonfos·sil·ifer·ous adjective
• unfos·sil·ifer·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fossiliferous¹

First recorded in 1840–50; fossil + -i- + -ferous

Example Sentences

Nonetheless, my grandfather built walls, arches and other stone structures using the fossiliferous limestone that is abundant in Cincinnati.

From Seattle Times

“Some of the most fossiliferous areas were neglected and are no longer considered part of the monument,” he says.

From Science Magazine

Earlier this month, I packed up my gear and headed west for the fossiliferous desert of central Nevada.

From Nature

Peregocetus is another such creature, standing in our fossiliferous imagination with its hind feet on the land and front paws in the water.

From The Guardian

He refused to accept Louis Agassiz’s idea of ice ages–"the refrigeration of the globe," as he dismissively termed it–and was confident that mammals "would be found in the oldest fossiliferous beds."

From Literature