Paleontology Terms

verb to become rigid or hardened like bone; to turn into bone

adjective hardened like bone; rigid; inflexible

• The ossified remains of the ancient creature were carefully studied by paleontologists.
• His ossified thinking prevented him from considering any new ideas.
• Dude, you need to chill out and stop being so ossified about everything.
• Her heart felt ossified after experiencing so much pain and betrayal.

noun a reproductive cell or group of cells, capable of developing into a new individual without sexual fusion

• The spore is a reproductive structure that is capable of developing into a new organism.
• I found some spores on the forest floor while hiking.
• Those spores are so tiny, they almost look like dust!
• The idea of creativity can be seen as a spore that grows into a beautiful piece of art.

noun a linear mark or band differing in color or texture from the surface on which it is found

• The geologist observed the striation in the rock formation, indicating the direction of past glacial movement.
• I noticed the striation marks on the wall from where someone dragged their furniture across.
• Check out the cool striation pattern on this piece of wood!
• The striation of emotions on her face told a complex story of inner turmoil.

noun a hoofed mammal

adjective relating to or characteristic of hoofed mammals

• The ungulate species of animals include horses, deer, and cattle.
• I saw a bunch of ungulates grazing in the field.
• Check out those ungulates chilling by the river.
• The company is like an ungulate, slow and steady in its growth.

noun a strong interest or love for dinosaurs

• Dinophilia is the scientific study and love of dinosaurs.
• I have a friend who has a serious case of dinophilia - they know everything about dinosaurs!
• Some people think dinophilia is just a nerdy obsession, but I think it's cool.
• Her dinophilia for ancient creatures was evident in her extensive collection of dinosaur figurines.

noun the front limb of a quadruped

adjective relating to or located in the front limb

• The forelimb of the horse consists of the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and front hoof.
• I noticed a scratch on my cat's forelimb after it got into a fight with another cat.
• I can't believe he broke his forelimb trying to show off on his skateboard.
• The company's marketing strategy serves as the forelimb in reaching new customers.

noun a type of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period, characterized by a bony frill at the back of the skull and a beak-like mouth

• The ceratopsid dinosaurs were known for their distinctive frilled skulls and horns.
• Have you seen that cool ceratopsid dinosaur skeleton at the museum?
• That ceratopsid dino is totally rad!
• Her ceratopsid-like ability to detect danger saved her from a potential threat.

noun Aceratherium is a genus of extinct rhinoceros that lived during the Miocene epoch.

• The aceratherium is an extinct genus of rhinoceros that lived during the Oligocene epoch.
• I heard that the aceratherium was a really big rhino-like animal from a long time ago.
• Check out that ancient aceratherium, it's like a prehistoric rhino!
• The aceratherium in the room that no one wants to talk about is our declining sales numbers.

adjective shaped like a needle or having a sharp point

• The aculeiform structure of the sea urchin's spines helps protect it from predators.
• Ouch! I accidentally stepped on an aculeiform sea urchin spine at the beach.
• I hate those little aculeiform things that stick to your clothes when you're hiking.
• His words were like aculeiform barbs, piercing through her defenses.