First Known Use: 1940
Dictionary
taphonomy
noun ta·phon·o·my \tə-ˈfä-nə-mē, ta-\
Definition of TAPHONOMY
: the study of the processes (as burial, decay, and preservation) that affect animal and plant remains as they become fossilized; also : the processes themselves
— taph·o·nom·ic \ˌta-fə-ˈnä-mik\ adjective
— ta·phon·o·mist \tə-ˈfä-nə-mist, ta-\ noun
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Origin of TAPHONOMY
Greek taphē burial + English -nomy
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