Gyrolith

/ˈdʒɪərəlɪθ/ noun

Definition

A stone or fossil with a spiral or circular marking or structure.

Etymology

From Greek gyros 'circle' and lithos 'stone,' directly combining the two concepts. This term is used in paleontology and geology to describe circular patterns preserved in rock.

Kelly Says

Ancient spirals in stone can be fossils, mineral patterns, or even tool marks—gyrolith reminds us that nature writes in circles, and sometimes those circles preserve millions of years of history.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.