Definition

A type of fossilized tooth from an ancient group of small, fish-like creatures that lived a long time ago. These fossils are important for studying the history of life on Earth.

Example

Scientists discovered a conodont fossil that helped them understand the marine environment of the Paleozoic era.

Conversation

Did you know that scientists found a new type of conodont recently?

Really? I didn’t even know they were still discovering new ones!

Yeah, they’re important for understanding ancient marine life and ecosystems.

That’s fascinating! I love how fossils can tell us so much about the past.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Conodont is formed from "cono-" (from Greek "konos", meaning cone) and "dont" (from Greek "odous", meaning tooth). The word refers to the cone-shaped teeth of these ancient, jawless vertebrates.

Memory Tip

Picture a tooth shaped like a cone — 'cono-' means cone and 'dont' refers to tooth, helping you remember that conodonts are ancient creatures with cone-shaped teeth.

Visually Confused Words