coccolith

== English == === Etymology 1 === Derived from coccolithophore. By surface analysis, Ancient Greek κόκκος (kókkos, “grain, seed”) +‎ Ancient Greek λίθος (líthos, “stone”), due to the shape of the organism's exoskeleton. ==== Noun ==== coccolith (plural coccoliths) (biology) A microscopic skeletal plate of calcite on the surface of certain marine phytoplankton; it forms chalk and limestone when fossilized ===== Derived terms ===== === Etymology 2 === From Ancient Greek κόκκος (kókkos, “kernel”) +‎ -lith. ==== Noun ==== coccolith (plural coccoliths) (mineralogy) Alternative form of coccolite (“diopside”).