archaeocyathus
|ar-chae-o-cy-a-thus|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑrkiəˈsaɪəθəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːkiəˈsaɪəθəs/
ancient cup-shaped fossil (reef builder)
Etymology
'archaeocyathus' originates from New Latin (taxonomic usage), ultimately from Greek 'arkhaios' meaning 'ancient' and 'kyathos' meaning 'cup'.
'archaeocyathus' was coined in scientific Latin as a taxonomic name formed from Greek roots ('arkhaios' + 'kyathos') and entered English scientific usage in descriptions of Cambrian fossils in the 19th century.
Initially the compound literally meant 'ancient cup' (referring to shape); it has come to denote the fossil taxon/group of cup-shaped, calcareous reef-building organisms from the Early Cambrian.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an extinct genus/group of early Cambrian, cup-shaped, calcareous skeleton-bearing organisms (Archaeocyatha), considered sponge-like and notable as reef builders and index fossils.
Archaeocyathus formed reefs in shallow Cambrian seas and are used as index fossils for that time.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/04 02:18