microfossil

[mahy-kroh-fos-il]

noun

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

microfossil

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌfɒsəl /

noun

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

microfossil

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of microfossil¹

First recorded in 1920–25; micro- + fossil

Example Sentences

More than a thousand microfossils were recovered from the tartar.

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

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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.

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

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More work is required to determine if the microfossils were left behind by eukaryotic organisms, but the possibility would have significant implications, the scientists said.

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