acritarch

[ak-ri-tahrk]

noun

Paleontology.

1. any of various microfossils, of unknown biological affinities, having a central cavity enclosed by a wall of chiefly organic composition.

Other Word Forms

• acritarchous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acritarch¹

1963; < New Latin Acritarcha (neuter plural), irregular < Greek ákrit ( os ) confused, doubtful ( a- ⁶, critic ) + archḗ beginning, origin ( archi- )

Example Sentences

K is an acritarch, the frequently spiny biological equivalent of a UFO.

From Scientific American

ACRITARCH, a kind of small fossil Hark, hark!

From Washington Post

The acritarch At Heaven’s gate sings; Been waiting here three million years, Three million falls and springs.

From Washington Post