acritarch

[ ak-ri-tahrk ]

nounPaleontology.

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

Origin of acritarch

¹

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

Other words from acritarch

ac·ri·tar·chous, adjective

Words Nearby acritarch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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