archæo-
(ˌɑːkiːəʊ-)
ad. Gr. ἀρχαιο- comb. form of ἀρχαῖος ancient, primitive (f. ἀρχή beginning). Formerly, and still occas., spelt archaio-. In compounds and derivatives, as archæology; also: archæo-geˈology, the geology of ancient periods of the earth's history. archæoˈlithic a. [λίθος stone], of or pertaining to the most ancient stone implements used by prehistoric man. archæoˈstomatous a. [στόµα mouth], having the primitive orifice of invagination of the wall of the embryo persistent as a mouth. archæoˈzoic a. [ζωή life], pertaining to the era of the earliest living beings on our planet.
| 1877 Shields Final Philos. 143 Archæo-geology..has ventured still further backward through the past organic epochs. 1865 Lubbock Preh. Times 60 The period of the drift, which I have proposed to call the archæolithic period. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. An. xii. 684 The limits within which the archæostomatous condition prevails. 1872 Dana Corals App. I. 373 The era..styled the Archeozoic. |