— paleontologic /pay'lee on'tl oj"ik/ or, esp. Brit., /pal'ee-/ , paleontological , adj. — paleontologically , adv. — paleontologist , n.
/pay'lee euhn tol"euh jee/ or, esp. Brit., /pal'ee-/ , n. , pl. paleontologies for 2.
1. the science of the forms of life existing in former geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.
2. a treatise on paleontology.
[ 1830-40; paléontologie. See PALE- ONTOLOGY ]