NUMMULITE Meaning and
Definition
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A nummulite is a type of fossilized marine organism belonging to the phylum Foraminifera and the family Nummulitidae. This family is comprised of small, single-celled organisms that produce multi-chambered shells made of calcium carbonate. Nummulites are known for their distinctive discoidal or lens-shaped shells, which are characterized by numerous internal chambers or compartments. The name "nummulite" is derived from the Latin word "nummulus," meaning small coin, owing to their coin-like appearance.
Nummulites first appeared in the geological record during the Paleocene epoch, approximately 65 million years ago, and remained abundant through the Eocene epoch before declining in the Miocene. They thrived in warm, shallow marine environments, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions. Their fossils have been discovered in various parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
These extinct marine creatures had a significant impact on shaping the structure of certain sedimentary rocks, such as limestones and marbles. Nummulitic limestone, specifically, is characterized by abundant fossilized nummulites and is commonly used as a building material in many ancient structures. The study of nummulites is not only valuable for paleontologists in understanding the ancient marine ecosystems, but also provides insights into the geological history and evolution of Earth's crust.
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An extensive class of fossil many-chambered organisms, so called from their general resemblance to a coin or piece of money, found in inconceivable numbers in the rocks of the Tertiary strata, called hence nummulitic limestone.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for NUMMULITE
- bummulite
- mummulite
- jummulite
- hummulite
- nymmulite
- nhmmulite
- njmmulite
- nimmulite
- n8mmulite
- n7mmulite
- nunmulite
- nukmulite
- nujmulite
- numnulite
- numkulite
- numjulite
- nummylite
- nummhlite
- nummjlite
Etymology of NUMMULITE
The word "nummulite" has its origins in Latin and Greek. It is derived from the Latin word "nummulus", meaning "coin" or "little coin", which is a diminutive form of "nummus" (coin). The term was coined by the Swiss naturalist and geologist, Jean-Étienne Guettard, in the 18th century.
The Latin word "nummulus" was used to describe the fossilized shells of small, disk-shaped organisms that resemble coins. These organisms, known as "nummulites", were abundant during the Eocene epoch, approximately 56 to 34 million years ago. The shells of nummulites are composed of calcium carbonate and have a distinctive coin-like appearance when viewed in cross-section, with concentric rings or chambers resembling the spiral pattern on the surface of coins.
Similar spelling word for NUMMULITE
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