ammonite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Technical, Specialised
Quick answer
What does “ammonite” mean?
A type of extinct marine mollusc with a coiled, chambered shell, fossilized remains of which are common.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of extinct marine mollusc with a coiled, chambered shell, fossilized remains of which are common.
1. The fossilized shell of such an animal, prized by collectors. 2. The term is sometimes used poetically to refer to ancient, coiled, or spiral forms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally rare in general use; frequency is tied to geological/palaeontological contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “ammonite” in a Sentence
find + [an/the] + ammonitestudy + [the] + ammonitescontain + [an] + ammoniteidentify + [the] + ammoniteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ammonite” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The ammonite fossil was perfectly preserved.
- We examined the ammonite deposits.
American English
- The ammonite fossil was perfectly preserved.
- We studied the ammonite-bearing shale.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused, except perhaps in the context of selling fossils or museum exhibitions.
Academic
Common in geology, palaeontology, and Earth science texts and lectures.
Everyday
Rare. May be encountered in museums, documentaries, or by fossil hunters on the coast.
Technical
The precise term for this extinct subclass of cephalopods (Ammonoidea).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ammonite”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ammonite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ammonite”
- Misspelling as 'amminite', 'amnonite', or 'ammonite'.
- Confusing it with the similar-looking but extant nautilus.
- Using it as a plural without 's' (correct plural: ammonites).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ammonites were marine invertebrates (molluscs), while dinosaurs were terrestrial reptiles.
No. All ammonites became extinct at the same time as the non-avian dinosaurs, around 66 million years ago.
Ammonites are extinct and typically have more complex, frilled suture lines on their shells. The nautilus is a living relative with simpler suture patterns.
Their hard, durable shells fossilised well, they were abundant in ancient oceans, and they evolved rapidly, leaving many distinct species in the fossil record.
A type of extinct marine mollusc with a coiled, chambered shell, fossilized remains of which are common.
Ammonite is usually academic, technical, specialised in register.
Ammonite: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæmənaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæməˌnaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AMMON' sounds like 'a mountain' – imagine a mountain of ancient, coiled shells. Or, 'A MOMENT' in time, frozen as a fossil.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SPIRAL/COIL OF TIME (representing deep history and evolution).
Practice
Quiz
An ammonite is most closely related to which modern animal?