phytolite

noun

phy·​to·​lite

ˈfītəˌlīt

variants or phytolith

-ˌlith 

plural -s

1

: a plant fossil

2

phytolith : a microscopic siliceous particle that forms in plant cells and is highly resistant to decomposition

ancient plant species revealed by soil phytoliths

Word History

Etymology

phyt- + -lite or -lith

First Known Use

circa 1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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