micropaleontology

[ mahy-kroh-pey-lee-uhn-tol-uh-jee, -pal-ee- ]

noun

1. the branch of paleontology dealing with the study of microscopic fossils.

micropaleontology

/ mī′krō-pā′lē-ŏn-tŏl′ə-jē /

1. The branch of paleontology that deals with microfossils.

Other Words From

• mi·cro·pa·le·on·to·log·i·cal [mahy-kroh-pey-lee-on-tl-, oj, -i-k, uh, l, -pal-ee-], micro·pale·onto·logic adjective
• micro·pale·on·tolo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of micropaleontology¹

First recorded in 1880–85; micro- + paleontology

Example Sentences

Malcolm Hart, emeritus professor of micropaleontology at the University of Plymouth in England and the study's lead researcher, explained that the attack was horrific.

From Fox News

“It really shows how tenacious life is,” said Reed Scherer, a micropaleontology professor at Northern Illinois University.

From Washington Times