coccolith

[ kok-uh-lith ]
/ ˈkɒk əˌlɪθ /

noun

a microscopic calcareous disk or ring making up part of the covering of certain marine plankton and forming much of the content of chalk rocks.

Origin of coccolith

1865–70; < New Latin Coccolithus originally a genus name; see coccus, -o-, -lith

OTHER WORDS FROM coccolith

coc·co·lith·ic, adjective

Words nearby coccolith

coccidium, cocciferous, coccobacillary, coccobacillus, coccoid, coccolith, coccus, coccyalgia, coccydynia, coccygeal, coccygeal body

British Dictionary definitions for coccolith

coccolith
/ (ˈkɒkəlɪθ) /

noun

any of the round calcareous plates in chalk formations: formed the outer layer of unicellular plankton

Word Origin for coccolith

C19: New Latin, from Greek kokkos berry + lithos stone