the study of fossils to determine the structure and evolution of extinct animals and plants and the age and conditions of deposition of the rock strata in which they are found
See also palaeobotany, palaeozoology
2. another name for palaeozoology
Derived forms
palaeontological (ˌpælɪˌɒntəˈlɒdʒɪkəl)
adjective
palaeontologically (ˌpalaeˌontoˈlogically)
adverb
palaeontologist (ˌpalaeonˈtologist)
noun
Word origin
C19: from palaeo- + onto- + -logy
Examples of 'paleontological' in a sentence
paleontological
This year, there was even a session on paleontological mixology.