生いきた化か石せき

expression, noun

living fossil

Refers to a species that has remained unchanged for millions of years and closely resembles fossils of its ancestors. Used both in biology and figuratively for something that seems ancient or unchanged.

• シーラカンスは生いきた化か石せきと呼よばれている。

  The coelacanth is called a living fossil.

• この古ふるい風ふう習しゅうは、まさに生いきた化か石せきだ。

  This old custom is truly a living fossil.