microfossil

American  

[mahy-kroh-fos-il] / ˌmaɪ kroʊˈfɒs ɪl /

noun

1. a fossil so small that it can be studied and identified only with a microscope.

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microfossil British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌfɒsəl /

noun

1. a fossil generally less than 0.5 millimetre in size, such as a protozoan, bacterium, or pollen grain

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microfossil Scientific  

/ mī′krō-fŏs′əl /

1. A microscopic fossil, as of a pollen grain or unicellular organism.

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Etymology

Origin of microfossil

First recorded in 1920–25; micro- + fossil

Example Sentences

More than a thousand microfossils were recovered from the tartar.

From Science Daily

A significant section of the paper is dedicated to the abundant microfossils found at the site, which include fish teeth, scales and bone fragments.

From Science Daily

This study has only worked on the planktonic foraminifera, however there are many other microfossil groups which have important roles in marine food webs which need to be studied.

From Science Daily

A dip in hydrofluoric acid dissolved the matrix rock, concentrating the precious microfossils which she then analyzed under the microscope.

From Science Daily

"The microfossils have a remarkable similarity to a modern family called Volvocaceae," Barlow said.

From Science Daily