stromatolite
[ stroh-mat-l-ahyt ]
/ stroʊˈmæt lˌaɪt /
noun Geology.
a laminated calcareous fossil structure built by marine algae and having a rounded or columnar form.
Origin of stromatolite
OTHER WORDS FROM stromatolite
stro·mat·o·lit·ic [stroh-mat-l-it-ik] /stroʊˌmæt lˈɪt ɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby stromatolite
stroll,
stroller,
stroma,
stromateid,
stromateoid,
stromatolite,
stromboli,
strombolian,
stromuhr,
strong,
strong accumulation point
British Dictionary definitions for stromatolite
stromatolite
/ (strəʊˈmætəˌlaɪt) /
noun
a rocky mass consisting of layers of calcareous material and sediment formed by the prolific growth of cyanobacteria: such structures date back to Precambrian times
Derived forms of stromatolite
stromatolitic (strəʊˌmætəˈlɪtɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for stromatolite
C20: from Greek, from
strōma covering +
-lite
Scientific definitions for stromatolite
stromatolite
[ strō-măt′l-īt′ ]
A dome-shaped structure consisting of alternating layers of carbonate or silicate sediment and fossilized algal mats. Stromatolites are produced over geologic time by the trapping, binding, or precipitating of sediment by groups of microorganisms, primarily cyanobacteria. They are widely distributed in the fossil record and contain some of the oldest recorded forms of life, from over three billion years ago. They continue to form today especially in western Australia.