ammonite

noun (1)
am·​mo·​nite | \ ˈa-mə-ˌnīt How to pronounce ammonite (audio) \

Definition of ammonite

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: any of a subclass (Ammonoidea) of extinct cephalopods especially abundant in the Mesozoic age that had flat spiral shells with the interior divided by septa into chambers

Ammonite

noun (2)
Am·​mon·​ite | \ ˈa-mə-ˌnīt How to pronounce Ammonite (audio) \

Definition of Ammonite (Entry 2 of 2)

: a member of a Semitic people who in Old Testament times lived east of the Jordan between the Jabbok and the Arnon

Illustration of ammonite

Illustration of ammonite

Noun (2)

In the meaning defined above

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Other Words from ammonite

Noun (1)

ammonitic \ ˌa-​mə-​ˈni-​tik How to pronounce ammonitic (audio) \ adjective

Noun (2)

Ammonite adjective

Examples of ammonite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But despite centuries of research, many mysteries still surround ammonites. Michael Greshko, National Geographic, "This ancient sea creature fossilized in tree resin. How'd that happen?," 13 May 2019 The Earp homestead is built on a bedrock of ammonite, which acts as a powerful revenant repellant. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Wynonna Earp’s wild season 3 finale takes the series to a whole new level," 2 Oct. 2018 In some cases -- some extremely rare cases -- ammonites can fetch between $40,000 to $50,000. CNN, "A 6-year-old girl goes digging in the dirt at her sister's soccer game -- and finds a 65 million-year-old fossil," 21 Mar. 2018 What the girl had found was the fossil of an ammonite, a sea creature that went the way of the dinosaurs millions of years ago. CNN, "A 6-year-old girl goes digging in the dirt at her sister's soccer game -- and finds a 65 million-year-old fossil," 21 Mar. 2018 Fed by a constant stream of nutrients, the ocean supported all walks of life, from snails and ammonites to the massive Mosasaurus, an extinct group of marine reptiles. Maya Wei-haas, Smithsonian, "What Shrinking Fossil-Rich National Monuments Means for Science," 19 Dec. 2017 But as the shell was pulled along by the current the impression widened, till 18 ridges become visible before the ammonite plopped over. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Ancient Creature Left a 28-Foot Drag Mark After It Died," 11 May 2017 Tsujita and Westermann also cataloged the positive evidence that mosasaurs bit ammonites. Brian Switek, WIRED, "Mosasaur Bites and Limpet Scrapes," 11 Apr. 2012 This wasn’t to say that mosasaurs never ate ammonites, though. Brian Switek, WIRED, "Mosasaur Bites and Limpet Scrapes," 11 Apr. 2012

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ammonite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ammonite

Noun (1)

1726, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1530, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ammonite

Noun (1)

New Latin ammonites, from Latin cornu Ammonis, literally, horn of Ammon

Noun (2)

Late Latin Ammonites, from Hebrew ʽAmmōn Ammon (son of Lot), descendant of Ammon

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