belemnite
1
9.9
- noun
- /bɪˈlɛmnaɪt/
- Specialized
Examples
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Beads made from belemnites are translucent gold or brown and are easily mistaken for amber.
Academic text (1994) -
Molluscs like ammonites and belemnites experience an unprecedented growth and are on the menu of most marine predators.
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There are plenty of stories there—ammonites as snakestones, belemnites as thunderbolts, the origins of dragons, Nessie, and so on.
Blog text (26) -
The bead maker began with the naturally cylindrical belemnites, cut them into segments, split each segment to make semicylindrical blanks, perforated them by drilling from each side, and polished them into their final form.
Academic text (1994) -
The museum displayed several belemnites, showcasing their distinct conical shape and chambered cavities.
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During the dig, we uncovered a variety of fossils, including well-preserved belemnites that fascinated the paleontologists.
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While exploring the coastal cliffs, we found layers of marine rocks filled with belemnites, illustrating the area's rich geological history.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Belemnite comes from the Greek belemnon, meaning 'dart' or 'javelin', plus the ending -ite used for stones and fossils. The fossil looks like a long, pointy dart or bullet, so the name helps you remember its narrow, pointed shape.