microlith

noun

mi·​cro·​lith ˈmī-krə-ˌlith 

: a tiny blade tool especially of the Mesolithic usually in a geometric shape (such as that of a triangle) and often set in a bone or wooden haft

microlithic

ˌmī-krə-ˈli-thik 

adjective

Examples of microlith in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the new study, which appears in the journal PLOS One, a team from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany took a closer look at the tools, or microliths, found in Fa-Hien Lena cave in Sri Lanka. —Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 7 Oct. 2019

According to a new paper published in PLUS One, microliths seen in the Fa Hien cave in the tropical rainforests of Sri Lanka date to 45,000 years ago. —Christopher Carbone, Fox News, 4 Oct. 2019

The microliths found in the cave are oldest ever found in south Asia. —Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 7 Oct. 2019

Tiny stone tools -- known as microliths -- were essential to the growth of our species thousands of years ago. —Christopher Carbone, Fox News, 4 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

microlith

noun

mi·​cro·​lith ˈmī-krō-ˌlith 

: a microscopic calculus or concretion

rupture of microliths into blood vessels

—Modern Medicine

compare gravel sense 1