paleontology Hear it!

paleontology Definition

pale·on·tol·ogy (pā′lē ən täl′ə jē, -lē än-)

noun

  1. the branch of geology that deals with life forms from the past, esp. prehistoric life forms, through the study of fossils
  2. a treatise on this subject

Etymology: Fr paléontologie: see pale- & onto- & -logy

paleontology Related Forms

pa′le·on′·to·log′i·cal (-än′tō läj′i kəl) adjective or pa′le·on′·to·log′ic pa′le·on·tol′o·gist noun

paleontology Synonyms

paleontology

n.

paleology, archaism, prehistory; see archaeology, science 1.

paleontology Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

vertebrate: It was a most remarkable project, and the book instantly became a valuable contribution to vertebrate paleontology.

Noun used with modifier

dinosaur: Also encapsulates the ` ` greats ' ' of dinosaur paleontology.