palaeontology

/ ˌpælɪɒnˈtɒlədʒɪ; ˌpælɪˌɒntəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of fossils to determine the structure and evolution of extinct animals and plants and the age and conditions of deposition of the rock strata in which they are found See also palaeobotany palaeozoology
2. another name for palaeozoology

Derived Forms

• palaeontological, adjective
• ˌpalaeˌontoˈlogically, adverb
• ˌpalaeonˈtologist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of palaeontology¹

C19: from palaeo- + onto- + -logy

Example Sentences

I will now sum up the results of this sketch of the rise and progress of palaeontology.

From Project Gutenberg

Happily, the future of palaeontology is independent of all hypothetical considerations.

From Project Gutenberg

It is my object to mark the epochs of palaeontology, not to recount all the events of its history.

From Project Gutenberg

Buffon enumerates five classes of these monuments of the past history of the earth, and they are all facts of palaeontology.

From Project Gutenberg

The settlement of the nature of fossils led at once to the next advance of palaeontology, viz.

From Project Gutenberg