bioherm

[ bahy-oh-hurm ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a carbonate rock formation, in the form of an ancient reef or hummock, consisting of the fossilized remains of corals, algae, mollusks, and other sedentary marine life, and commonly surrounded by rock of a different lithology.

bioherm

/ ˈbaɪəʊˌhɜːm /

noun

1. a mound of material laid down by sedentary marine organisms, esp a coral reef
2. the fossilized remains of such a mound

Other Words From

• bio·hermal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bioherm¹

1925–30; bio- + -herm < Greek hérma sunken rock, reef

Word History and Origins

Origin of bioherm¹

C20: from bio- + Greek herma submerged rock