coccolithophore

Meaning

Noun

• Any of many minute mostly marine planktonic biflagellated organisms with brown chromatophores and complex calcareous, less commonly siliceous, shells.

Origin

• From Ancient Greek κόκκος + λίθος + φόρος; this compound references how the phytoplanktonic organism's life cycle results in the depositing of its microscopic seed-like calcic exoskeleton, forming calcite.