coccolith
English
Etymology 1
Derived from coccolithophore; surface analysis is from Ancient Greek κόκκος (kókkos, “grain, seed”) and λίθος (líthos, “stone”), due to the shape of the organism's exoskeleton.
Noun
coccolith (plural coccoliths)
- (biology) A microscopic skeletal plate of calcite on the surface of certain marine phytoplankton; it forms chalk and limestone when fossilized
Derived terms
Etymology 2
Ancient Greek [Term?] (“berry”) + -lith
Noun
coccolith (plural coccoliths)
- (mineralogy) Alternative form of coccolite (“diopside”)