graptolite

noun

grap·​to·​lite ˈgrap-tə-ˌlīt 

: any of an extinct class (Graptolithina) of hemichordate colonial marine animals of the Paleozoic era with zooids contained in conical cups along a chitinous support

Examples of graptolite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Planktonic graptolites, one branch of the family, were so abundant in the early Paleozoic period that their tiny fossils were used to help correlate ages of rocks, before vanishing 300 million years ago. —Asher Elbein, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2023

Surrounding remains—fossils of tiny, extinct marine animals called graptolites and conodonts—served as biomarkers to help confirm when the early scorpions wandered the earth. —Katie Camero, WSJ, 16 Jan. 2020

One of the most emblematic animals of the Ordovician Radiation is the now-extinct graptolite. —Annalee Newitz, Ars Technica, 21 Nov. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Greek graptos painted (from graphein to write, paint) + English -lite — more at carve

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above