Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈɪfa͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The word "Gryphite" is spelled as /ˈɡrɪfaɪt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is "g", followed by the "r" sound that is pronounced with the tip of the tongue curled back. The "y" sound represents the vowel "i" in the word, pronounced as /ɪ/. The next syllable is "phi", pronounced as /faɪ/. The final syllable is "te", pronounced as /t/. In summary, the word "Gryphite" is pronounced as "GRIF-ite."
Gryphite is a noun that refers to a type of fossilized shell or skeleton of an extinct group of marine organisms called Gryphaea. It is derived from the Greek word "gryphos," meaning curved or hooked, due to the distinct shape of this shell. Gryphaea are commonly known as devil's toenail or Moses' toenail due to their unique appearance, resembling a curved, hooked toenail.
Gryphite shells are a common type of fossil found in marine sedimentary rocks, particularly in Jurassic and Cretaceous-aged layers. These fossils provide important information about ancient marine ecosystems and can be used by paleontologists to reconstruct the environments in which they lived.
The typical shell of a gryphite is curved or crescent-shaped, with a textured surface marked by ridges and grooves. Often, the shells are preserved in sedimentary rocks as internal molds, representing the void left behind after the organic material decomposed. Occasionally, the original shell material may also be preserved, resulting in a more detailed fossil specimen. Gryphaea shells are often used by geologists as index fossils, indicating the relative age of the rock layers in which they are found.
Overall, gryphite refers to the fossilized remains of Gryphaea, an extinct marine organism with a curved or hooked shell. These fossils offer valuable insights into ancient marine ecosystems and are important tools in the fields of paleontology and geology.
In geol., a sub-genus of the oyster family, abounding in the lias, oolite, and chalk formations.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "gryphite" is derived from the Greek word "gryphos", meaning a hook or curved talon. "Gryphos" is related to the word "grýps", which means an eagle or a griffin, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. The term "gryphite" is often used to describe fossilized remains of graptolites, extinct marine animals that bore a resemblance to pencil marks or small hooks, hence the association with the Greek word for a hook or talon.
