What does coprolith mean?
A coprolith is a piece of fossilized dung, or more generally a fossilized mass of feces. Such objects are important in paleontology and archaeology because they can preserve evidence of what ancient animals ate, including seeds, pollen, bones, and other remains. In medicine, coprolith can also describe a hardened mass of fecal material in the intestine, sometimes associated with obstruction or other gastrointestinal problems. The word belongs primarily to specialist scientific and medical vocabulary, although it is occasionally used in general writing for its unusual and memorable effect. A coprolith is closely related in meaning to coprolite; both terms can refer to fossilized dung, while coprolith more explicitly evokes a stone-like object. Understanding the word also reveals its Greek components: kopros, meaning dung, and lithos, meaning stone.
nounA coprolith is a fossilized mass of feces, especially a piece of petrified dung. In medicine, the term can also refer to a hard mass of fecal material within the intestine.
- A fossilized mass of feces or petrified dung, especially one found in geological or archaeological contexts.
- A hard mass of fecal material within the intestine, particularly when such a mass has become calcified or obstructs the bowel.
"Paleontologists study coproliths to learn what prehistoric animals ate."
"The excavation yielded several coproliths that preserved pollen and seeds."
"The scan revealed a coprolith in the patient's colon."
The standard plural is coproliths, pronounced with the same initial stress as the singular.
"Researchers analyzed the coproliths to reconstruct the diet of the extinct animals."
A coprolith is a fossilized clue: even ancient dung can preserve a meal for later study.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does coprolith come from?
Coprolith was formed in English from the Greek roots kopros, meaning dung, and lithos, meaning stone. The compound entered English in the 19th century as a name for fossilized dung. The related term coprolite developed from the same roots, while words such as coprology and coprophagous also retain the Greek element kopros.
How coprolith is actually used
This is a specialized term used mainly in paleontology, geology, archaeology, and medicine. It is more technical than ordinary words such as dung or feces and may sound unusual or humorous in general conversation.
Easily confused with coprolith
A coprolite is also a fossilized mass of feces, and the two terms are often used interchangeably; coprolith emphasizes the stone-like character of the fossil.