coccolith

English

Etymology 1

Derived from coccolithophore. By surface analysis, Ancient Greek κόκκος (kókkos, “grain, seed”) +‎ Ancient Greek λίθος (líthos, “stone”), due to the shape of the organism's exoskeleton.

Noun

coccolith (plural coccoliths)

1. (biology) A microscopic skeletal plate of calcite on the surface of certain marine phytoplankton; it forms chalk and limestone when fossilized

Derived terms

• coccolithic
• coccolithogenesis
• heterococcolith
• holococcolith

 

Etymology 2

From Ancient Greek κόκκος (kókkos, “kernel”) +‎ -lith.

Noun

coccolith (plural coccoliths)

1. (mineralogy) Alternative form of coccolite (“diopside”)