paleontology
Definitions
The scientific study of prehistoric life through fossils
古生物学（通过化石研究史前生命的科学）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpaleo (ancient) + ont (being, existing thing) + -ology (study of) = 'the study of ancient living things.' The middle ont- is the Greek word for 'that which exists' (the same root as in ontology), so the literal sense is 'study of things that once existed' — which in practice means fossils and extinct life.
Root paleo still carries 3 more wordsUsage Guide
British English usually spells it palaeontology, keeping the Greek 'ae'; American English drops it to paleontology. Both are correct in their own region.
Example Sentences
- 1.
She fell in love with paleontology after visiting a dinosaur dig.
- 2.
Paleontology relies on fossils to reconstruct life from millions of years ago.
- 3.
Advances in paleontology have rewritten how we picture early mammals.
Easily Confused
paleontology vs archaeology — paleontology studies ancient life (fossils, dinosaurs, extinct species), often from before humans existed. archaeology studies human past through artifacts and ruins. Bones of a T. rex → paleontology; an ancient pottery shard → archaeology.