Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The science of the former life of the globe; the study of the life of former geologic periods; that branch of biology which treats of fossil organisms, and especially of fossil animals; paleozoölogy and paleobotany. Also called
oryctozoölogy .
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The science which treats of the ancient life of the earth, or of fossils which are the remains of such life.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun
Study of theforms oflife existing inprehistoric orgeologic times, especially as represented byfossils .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the earth science that studies fossil organisms and related remains
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Although his thesis advisor describes his work as "impeccable", some have "argued that his religious beliefs should bar him from earning an advanced degree in paleontology", according to the New York Times (subscription required).
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Now a graduate student in paleontology at Yale, he returned there in 2004 to dig it up.
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I would just like to understand how someone can go through the trouble of obtaining a doctorate in paleontology if he holds beliefs that are in complete contradiction to those of the field.
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News of a young-earth creationist having earned a Ph.D. in paleontology have put ID critics around the blogosphere in a flutter.
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Are you now allowing that a YEC can get a Ph.D. in paleontology withot being a hyporcrite?
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Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, for example, was widely respected for his research in paleontology before his theological writings made any impact.
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Kate: pretty, bright-eyed, intelligent, she’s a graduate of Columbia and a Ph.D. candidate in paleontology (the study of prehistoric life).
THE THING Prequel Has Its Leads « Giant Killer Squid - Film, Comics, News, Reviews and more 2010
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It was in the life and earth sciences that I excelled, particularly in paleontology, which is often disparagingly labeled by the math and physics types as a "soft science."
"The pitying smirk, the argument runs like clockwork." ellen_datlow 2009
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We'll find out when this freak storm ends and I can call my paleontology prof at college.
Xone of Contention Anthony, Piers 1999
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We'll find out when this freak storm ends and I can call my paleontology prof at college.
Xone of Contention Anthony, Piers 1999
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