Definition

A type of fossil that is shaped like a cone and comes from an extinct group of sea creatures related to cuttlefish.

Example

The paleontologist discovered a belemnite fossil while digging in the Mesozoic rock layers.

Conversation

I found this cool fossil at the beach yesterday.

That's awesome! What kind of fossil was it?

It looks like a belemnite, which is pretty rare.

Wow, I've never seen a belemnite before. That's really interesting!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Belemnite is derived from the Greek word "belemnon" (meaning dart or missile) and the suffix "-ite" (meaning related to or belonging to). The term refers to a type of extinct marine cephalopod that had a bullet-shaped shell, resembling a dart.

Memory Tip

Think of the Greek word for dart ('belemnon') to remember that a belemnite is related to a bullet-shaped shell, much like a dart.

Visually Confused Words