palaeontology

/ (ˌpælɪɒnˈtɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the study of fossils to determine the structure and evolution of extinct animals and plants and the age and conditions of deposition of the rock strata in which they are found See also palaeobotany, palaeozoology

another name for palaeozoology

Derived forms of palaeontology

palaeontological (ˌpælɪˌɒntəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjective palaeontologically, adverb palaeontologist, noun

Word Origin for palaeontology

C19: from palaeo- + onto- + -logy

Words nearby palaeontology

palaeolithic man, palaeologus, palaeomagnetism, palaeontography, palaeontol., palaeontology, palaeopathology, palaeozoic, palaeozoology, palaestra, palagi

Example sentences from the Web for palaeontology

It is wonderful how close a parallel to classical training could be made out of that palaeontology to which I refer.

Science and Education |Thomas H. Huxley
Happily, the future of palaeontology is independent of all hypothetical considerations.

The Rise and Progress of Palaeontology |Thomas Henry Huxley
Palaeontology seems, however, to suggest that the Mustelidae come nearer to the Viverridae.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia |Frank Evers Beddard
Concerning the interrelations of the various orders and families of birds, palaeontology has as yet little to tell us.

Darwin and Modern Science |A.C. Seward and Others

Thus to describe an uncle as a parent is an error not uncommon in palaeontology, and it was treated leniently by Huxley.

Prehistoric Man |W. L. H. Duckworth