Trilobite (/'traɪləbaɪt/) is a noun that refers to an extinct marine arthropod that lived about 540 million years ago. The word is derived from two Greek words, "tri-" meaning three, and "lobos," meaning lobe. The spelling of "trilobite" is pronounced as /'traɪləbaɪt/ with the stress on the first syllable. The word follows the English pronunciation rules where "i" is pronounced as "ai" and "e" as "ə." The IPA phonetic transcription of "trilobite" helps to explain the correct pronunciation of this word.
A trilobite refers to an extinct marine arthropod that thrived during the Paleozoic era, specifically from the Cambrian period to the Permian period. The term "trilobite" originates from its characteristic body plan, which consists of a three-lobed exoskeleton divided into a cephalon (head), thorax (body), and pygidium (tail). These creatures display a wide range of sizes, varying from a few millimeters to over two feet in length, and exhibit an incredible diversity of shapes and adaptations.
Trilobites possessed a rigid exoskeleton made of calcite, which provided protection and support. They sported a pair of stalked compound eyes, usually positioned on the sides of the cephalon, enabling them to potentially possess excellent vision. Many species of trilobites had appendages along the bottom of their bodies for swimming, while others possessed spines or spiky projections serving various purposes.
These arthropods dwelled in various marine environments, ranging from shallow coastal waters to the oceanic depths. They played crucial roles in Paleozoic ecosystems, occupying different ecological niches as predators, scavengers, or filter feeders. Trilobites exhibit exceptional fossil preservation, with numerous specimens unearthed worldwide, providing scientists with invaluable information about the Earth's ancient past.
Although trilobites disappeared more than 250 million years ago, their fossils continue to astound scientists and enthusiasts alike, providing insights into the evolution of life on Earth and offering glimpses of a long-extinct world.
In geol., an extensive family of palaeozoic crustaceans, deriving their name from the obvious three-lobed-like aspect of their bodies.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "trilobite" is derived from Greek. It combines the words "tri" meaning three, and "lobos" meaning lobe or segment. Therefore, "trilobite" literally translates to "three-lobed" or "three-segmented". This name refers to the distinctive feature of trilobites characterized by their segmented bodies divided into three distinct lobes: a central axial lobe and two lateral lobes on each side. Trilobites were a diverse group of extinct marine arthropods that lived during the Paleozoic Era.