palynology

[pal-uh-nol-uh-jee]

noun

1. the study of live and fossil spores, pollen grains, and similar plant structures.

palynology

/ ˌpælɪˈnɒlədʒɪ, ˌpælɪnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of living and fossil pollen grains and plant spores

palynology

1. The scientific study of spores and pollen, both living and fossilized. Palynology helps improve knowledge of ecosystems in both the recent and distant past, since pollen and spores are extremely durable, unlike many other plant parts.

Other Word Forms

• palynologist noun
• palynological adjective
• palynologically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of palynology¹

1940–45; < Greek palýn ( ein ) to sprinkle, scatter (akin to pálē dust, Latin pollen; pollen ) + -o- + -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of palynology¹

C20: from Greek palunein to scatter + _-logy

Example Sentences

Estella Leopold specialized in the study of pollen, known as palynology, especially in the fossilized form.

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She then studied for a botany degree, becoming a lecturer and expert in palynology - the study of pollen and spores.

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A relatively abstruse area of research to begin with, palynology produces few graduates, and Laurence and Ferguson said most PhD candidates are immediately hired by oil companies.

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His mentor, Vaughn Bryant, began promoting forensic palynology in the 1970s, after learning about its application in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

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Bryant said he got little traction promoting the law enforcement potential for forensic palynology until the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, then spent a decade analyzing samples for U.S. intelligence agencies.

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