phytolith
noun
phy·to·lith
ˈfī-tə-ˌlith 
: a microscopic siliceous particle that is formed by a plant and that is highly resistant to decomposition
ancient vegetation revealed by phytoliths
Examples of phytolith in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the short answer may sound inscrutable — a Levallois refit or manioc phytolith — or dull — a bowl, comb or donkey bone.
—
Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2020
His team sampled the ancient soil of Olorgesailie Basin for fossilized particles of plant tissue called phytoliths.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2018
Compared to wild rice varieties, domesticated rice has distinctive phytolith patterns.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 7 June 2017
But in sifting the soil samples, Ph.D. student Lautaro Hilbert noticed the unusual abundance of rice phytoliths.
—Dennis Normile, Science | AAAS, 10 Oct. 2017
While acidic soils decompose and destroy the organic matter from rice, including its grains and stems, rice plants produces microscopic bits of silica called phytoliths that form in distinctive patterns in rice leaves.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 7 June 2017
While acidic soils decompose and destroy the organic matter from rice, including its grains and stems, rice plants produces microscopic bits of silica called phytoliths that form in distinctive patterns in rice leaves.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 7 June 2017
Phytoliths in modern rice have more than nine fish-scale decorations.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 29 May 2017
Less than a tenth of an ounce of soil might yield thousands of phytoliths, says Dolores Piperno, a phytolith expert at the Smithsonian who was not involved in the study.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 29 May 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2020
His team sampled the ancient soil of Olorgesailie Basin for fossilized particles of plant tissue called phytoliths.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2018
Compared to wild rice varieties, domesticated rice has distinctive phytolith patterns.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 7 June 2017
But in sifting the soil samples, Ph.D. student Lautaro Hilbert noticed the unusual abundance of rice phytoliths.
—Dennis Normile, Science | AAAS, 10 Oct. 2017
While acidic soils decompose and destroy the organic matter from rice, including its grains and stems, rice plants produces microscopic bits of silica called phytoliths that form in distinctive patterns in rice leaves.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 7 June 2017
While acidic soils decompose and destroy the organic matter from rice, including its grains and stems, rice plants produces microscopic bits of silica called phytoliths that form in distinctive patterns in rice leaves.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 7 June 2017
Phytoliths in modern rice have more than nine fish-scale decorations.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 29 May 2017
Less than a tenth of an ounce of soil might yield thousands of phytoliths, says Dolores Piperno, a phytolith expert at the Smithsonian who was not involved in the study.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 29 May 2017
Dictionary Entries Near phytolith
Cite this Entry
“Phytolith.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phytolith. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share