endolithic

[ en-doh-lith-ik ]

adjective

1. living embedded in the surface of rocks, as certain lichens.

endolithic

/ ˌɛndəʊˈlɪθɪk /

adjective

1. (of organisms, such as algae) growing inside rock

Word History and Origins

Origin of endolithic¹

First recorded in 1885–90; endo- + -lithic

Example Sentences

"Intricate tunnels in garnets from soils and river sediments in Thailand–Possible endolithic microborings."

From Scientific American

She writes from ten till three, and divides her time between her sister's beautiful country home in Kent and the pretty little house at West Kensington, where she stays with a dear aunt and uncle, Dr. Hand Smith, well known in the scientific world of London for his discovery of the endolithic process, about which the late Sir Edgar Boehm was so enthusiastic an admirer.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead, they discovered that the endolithic cyanobacteria took up calcium from the tips of their boring filaments, directly into their cells.

From US News

"While it is hard to quantify the losses to the shellfish industry, the impact of endolithic bacteria has been described as a plague by Canadian fisheries," says Garcia-Pichel.

From US News

They will also pursue studies of other endolithic cyanobacteria, and other minerals, such as dolomites, calcophosphates and magnesites.

From US News