coccolith

(käk′ə lit̸h′)

noun

a minute calcareous plate covering the body of certain golden algae (division Chromophycota)

Origin: < ModL coccus (see coccus) + -lith

See coccolith in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A microscopic calcite skeletal plate that protects certain marine phytoplankton and in a fossilized state forms chalk and limestone deposits.

Origin:

Origin: cocc(us) (from its shape)

Origin: + -lith

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