paleontology
UK /ˌpeɪli.ənˈtɒləd͡ʒi/ · US /ˌpeɪli.ənˈtɑləd͡ʒi/ noun
Forms palaeontology palæontology
- noun (American spelling) The study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, especially as represented by fossils.
Synonyms
Etymology
Attested since 1836 (as palæontology). From French paléontologie (attested since 1822). By surface analysis, paleo- (“ancient”) + onto- (“being”) + -logy (“study”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun The science which treats of the ancient life of the earth, or of fossils which are the remains of such life.
Etymology [Paleo- + Gr. -logy. Cf. Ontology.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “paleontology”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details