Paleontological Terms

noun a rigid organ that constitutes part of the vertebrate skeleton in animals

verb None

adjective None

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The doctor examined the x-ray and found a fracture in the bone.
• I accidentally bumped my elbow and now my funny bone hurts.
• I heard he has a bone to pick with you about the project.
• She has a bone of contention with her neighbor over the property line.

noun a thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subjected to friction

• The callus on his hand was a result of years of manual labor.
• I've got a nasty callus on my foot from wearing new shoes.
• My callus is killing me after playing basketball all day.
• Her callus demeanor hid the pain she was feeling inside.

noun a small tooth or toothlike projection, especially on the surface of a shell or the exoskeleton of an arthropod

• The denticle on the shark's skin helps reduce drag as it swims through the water.
• I noticed a small denticle on the edge of the table.
• That denticle on your car bumper is really noticeable.
• Her sharp words were like denticles, leaving small wounds on his ego.

noun waste material from animals, especially excrement

verb There are no applicable verbs for the word 'dung'

adjective There are no applicable adjectives for the word 'dung'

adverb There are no applicable adverbs for the word 'dung'

pronoun There are no applicable pronouns for the word 'dung'

preposition There are no applicable prepositions for the word 'dung'

conjunction There are no applicable conjunctions for the word 'dung'

interjection There are no applicable interjections for the word 'dung'

article There are no applicable articles for the word 'dung'

• The farmer used dung as fertilizer for his crops.
• I can't believe we have to clean up all this dung in the barn.
• Watch out for that pile of dung on the trail!
• His lies were like dung, spreading everywhere and causing a mess.

adjective belonging to or existing in times before recorded history

• The prehistoric era is defined as the time before written records.
• Have you ever wondered what life was like in prehistoric times?
• That movie was so old, it felt like prehistoric times!
• His knowledge of technology is prehistoric compared to his peers.

noun a rounded prominence or protuberance, especially a bony bump on a bone

• The tuberosity of the tibia is an important anatomical landmark for orthopedic surgeons.
• I think I may have injured the tuberosity on my elbow from that fall.
• My tuberosity is killing me after that intense workout at the gym.
• The tuberosity of her personality was her unwavering determination.

noun A genus of extinct snakes that lived during the Paleocene epoch, known for their massive size

• The Titanoboa is an extinct genus of very large snakes that lived during the Paleocene epoch.
• Did you know that the Titanoboa was a massive snake that lived millions of years ago?
• That Titanoboa was one big noodle!
• The Titanoboa's size was as intimidating as its name.

noun a period of the Paleozoic era, from about 416 to 359 million years ago, known for its diverse marine life and the first appearance of many types of fish

• The Devonian period is known for the diversification of fish and the first appearance of forests on land.
• Did you know that the Devonian period was when fish started to become more diverse?
• The Devonian era was like the fish party era, you know what I mean?
• Just like the Devonian period marked a new beginning for life on Earth, this project marks a new chapter for our team.

adjective relating to or containing calcium carbonate or limestone

• The calcareous soil in the region is ideal for growing grapes.
• The beach is made up of calcareous sand, so it's great for building sandcastles.
• I heard that new restaurant serves pizza on a calcareous crust.
• Her smile was as bright and white as calcareous rocks in the sun.

noun the state of being hardened or turned into bone

• Ossification is the process of bone formation in the body.
• I learned about ossification in my biology class.
• Bone ossification is like when your body is making new bone material.
• The ossification of his beliefs made it difficult for him to consider other perspectives.

noun a condition in which an animal eats bones

• Osteophagia is a condition where an individual consumes bones.
• I heard that osteophagia is when someone eats bones.
• Did you know about osteophagia? It's when people chomp on bones.
• Metaphorically speaking, osteophagia can refer to someone who has a strong appetite for challenges.

noun a large, extinct mammal of the order Dinotheria, resembling an elephant but with downward-curving tusks

adjective relating to or characteristic of dinothere

• The dinothere is an extinct mammal species that lived during the Oligocene and Miocene epochs.
• Have you heard about the dinothere? It was like a prehistoric elephant!
• That dinothere creature was massive, like something out of a dinosaur movie.
• Her old car was a real dinothere, always breaking down and causing trouble.

noun a type of reptile that is an ancestor of dinosaurs and other archosaurs

• The dinosauromorph fossil was carefully examined by the paleontologists.
• Did you see that cool dinosauromorph skeleton at the museum?
• Check out the sick dinosauromorph bones they dug up!
• His towering presence in the boardroom made him seem like a dinosauromorph among mere mortals.

noun the name of a specific type of dinosaur

• The Buitreraptor is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Argentina during the Late Cretaceous period.
• Did you know that the Buitreraptor was a cool dinosaur that lived in Argentina?
• That Buitreraptor dino was a total badass!
• Just like the Buitreraptor was a swift predator, she moved through the crowded room with ease.

noun a member of a group of herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by a pelvic structure resembling that of birds

adjective relating to or characteristic of ornithischians

• The ornithischian dinosaurs were characterized by a pelvic structure similar to that of modern birds.
• Did you know that ornithischian dinosaurs had a hip structure similar to birds?
• Those ornithischian dinos had hips like birds, pretty cool right?
• Her dance moves were as graceful as an ornithischian dinosaur's hip structure.

adjective relating to or based on the principles of cladistics, a method of classification of animals and plants according to the proportion of measurable characteristics that they have in common

• The cladistic analysis revealed the evolutionary relationships among the different species.
• We used cladistic methods to figure out how the animals are related.
• The cladistic stuff helped us see which creatures are like cousins.
• Just like a cladistic tree, the connections between the species branched out in unexpected ways.

noun The Cenozoic era, the most recent geological era, spanning from 66 million years ago to the present.

• The Cenozoic era is also known as the Age of Mammals.
• The Cenozoic era is when all the cool mammals started showing up.
• The Cenozoic era was like the heyday for mammals, they were everywhere!
• The Cenozoic era was like the dawn of a new age for mammals, paving the way for their dominance.

noun a person from Norvekia or a member of the Norvician ethnic group

adjective describing something related to Norvekia or its culture

• The Norvician language is known for its complex grammar structure.
• I heard that Norvician cuisine is really delicious.
• I can't understand a word of that Norvician book.
• Learning to speak Norvician felt like decoding a secret language.

noun the study of dinosaurs

• Dinosaurology is the scientific study of dinosaurs and their behavior.
• I'm thinking of majoring in dinosaurology because I've always been fascinated by dinosaurs.
• Some people call dinosaurology 'dino science'.
• Studying dinosaurology is like uncovering the secrets of a lost world.

adjective having a projecting lower jaw or chin

• The patient exhibited a prognathous jaw, which may require surgical correction.
• I heard that guy has a prognathous jaw, like a bulldog.
• His prognathous jaw makes him look like he's always ready to bite someone.
• Her words had a prognathous impact, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

noun a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in North Africa during the Cretaceous period

• Deltadromeus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period.
• Have you heard of Deltadromeus? It's this cool dinosaur from the Cretaceous period.
• Deltadromeus was one fierce dino back in the day!
• The competition felt like a pack of Deltadromeus closing in on me.

noun a suffix used to form names of minerals, such as calcite or graphite

adjective relating to or characteristic of a specified place or thing, such as Israelite or meteorite

• The mineral sample was identified as a type of -ite.
• I heard that the new rock formation is made up of some -ite.
• I can't believe she's wearing that -ite outfit again.
• His stubbornness is like an -ite, impossible to break through.

noun a type of large predatory dinosaur belonging to the Tyrannosauridae family

• The new fossil discovery was identified as a tyrannosaurid, a type of large carnivorous dinosaur.
• I heard that they found a tyrannosaurid fossil out in the desert.
• Check out this cool tyrannosaurid bone I found while hiking!
• His boss was like a tyrannosaurid, always breathing down his neck and demanding perfection.

noun Acanthodes is a noun referring to an extinct genus of jawed fish that lived during the Devonian period.

• Acanthodes is an extinct genus of primitive jawed fish that lived during the Silurian period.
• Did you know that acanthodes is considered one of the earliest jawed fish species?
• I heard that acanthodes was like the OG jawed fish back in the day.
• The acanthodes in the fossil record serve as a reminder of the ancient origins of jawed vertebrates.

verb to form or shape like a cup or saucer

• The acetabulate structure of the insect's hip joint allows for a wide range of movement.
• I learned in biology class that insects have acetabulate hip joints.
• Check out the acetabulate design on this cool new gadget!
• Her mind was like an acetabulate puzzle, with pieces fitting together seamlessly.

noun a taxonomic group comprising animals that lack a cranium or skull, such as hagfishes and lampreys

• Acraniata is a subphylum of animals that lack a distinct skull.
• I learned in biology class that acraniata are animals without a skull.
• Those acraniata critters don't have a head bone.
• In the business world, being an acraniata can represent someone who lacks leadership skills.

noun a genus of extinct sharks that lived during the Mesozoic era

• The acrodus is an extinct genus of shark that lived during the Carboniferous period.
• I saw a cool fossil of an acrodus at the museum.
• That acrodus tooth is sick!
• His smile was as sharp as an acrodus tooth.

noun Aepiornis is a noun referring to a genus of extinct, flightless birds that were native to Madagascar. They were among the largest birds to have ever existed.

• The aepiornis, also known as the elephant bird, was a giant flightless bird native to Madagascar.
• Have you heard of the aepiornis? It was this huge bird that used to roam around Madagascar.
• That aepiornis was one big bird, like something out of a prehistoric movie!
• Her presence in the room was like that of an aepiornis, commanding attention with her sheer size and presence.

noun Aepyornis is a noun referring to a genus of extinct flightless birds that were native to Madagascar. They were the largest birds known to have existed, with some species reaching over 10 feet in height.

• The aepyornis, also known as the elephant bird, was a large flightless bird native to Madagascar.
• Did you know that the aepyornis was one of the heaviest birds to have ever existed?
• That aepyornis was one massive bird, dude!
• The aepyornis symbolizes the incredible diversity of life that once existed on the island of Madagascar.

noun a type of extinct crinoid marine animal that lived during the Paleozoic era

• The agassizocrinus is an extinct genus of crinoids that lived during the Ordovician period.
• Did you know that the agassizocrinus was a type of sea creature that lived a long time ago?
• That agassizocrinus thingamajig was like a fancy underwater plant back in the day.
• The agassizocrinus stood tall like a majestic tree in the ancient ocean.

noun a genus of large herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period

• The agathaumas is a genus of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period.
• Have you heard of the agathaumas dinosaur? It was huge!
• That agathaumas dino was a real beast back in the day.
• Her anger was like an agathaumas, fierce and unstoppable.