nummulite

[ nuhm-yuh-lahyt ]

noun

1. a fossil foraminifer of the genus Camerina ( Nummulites ), having a calcareous, usually disklike shell.

nummulite

/ ˈnʌmjʊˌlaɪt; ˌnʌmjʊˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. any of various large fossil protozoans of the family Nummulitidae, common in Tertiary times: phylum Foraminifera (foraminifers)

Derived Forms

• nummulitic, adjective

Other Words From

• num·mu·lit·ic [nuhm-y, uh, -, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nummulite¹

First recorded in 1805–15; nummul(ar) + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nummulite¹

C19: from New Latin Nummulites genus name, from Latin nummulus, from nummus coin

Example Sentences

The nummulite limestone was undoubtedly oceanic, and the other shells contained in it are marine species.

From Project Gutenberg

The Eocene includes a series of sandstones and marls with lignite, and these are overlaid by nummulite limestones.

From Project Gutenberg

The beds are also sometimes named Nummulite limestone, Miliolite limestone, and Cerithium limestone.

From Project Gutenberg

In a stratum just above these are numbers of a large Nummulite (Nummulites lævigatus).

From Project Gutenberg

The tertiary nummulite limestone, so abundant in Egypt, has not hitherto been met with in Nubia.

From Project Gutenberg