How Do You Spell OSTRACUM?

Pronunciation: [ˈɒstɹakəm] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "ostracum" can be explained through its IPA phonetic transcription, which is /ˈɒstrəkʌm/. The first syllable, "ost", is pronounced with a short "o" sound as in "hot", followed by the consonant cluster "tr" pronounced as "t-r". The second syllable, "acum", is pronounced with a short "a" sound as in "cat", followed by the consonant cluster "cum" pronounced as "k-um". When written out, it can be seen that the spelling follows the typical English language sounds and patterns.

OSTRACUM Meaning and Definition

1. Ostracum refers to a fragment of a shell, commonly found in the fossil record, particularly those of mollusks. It is a term used in the field of paleontology and geology to describe the preserved remnants of an ancient organism's outer protective layer, specifically the hard calcareous shell that encased and protected the soft body.

   Derived from the Greek word "ostrakon," meaning "shell" or "potsherd," an ostracum typically represents a small piece of a larger shell structure that has been weathered, eroded, or broken down over time. These fragments can be integral in understanding the biology, ecology, and evolutionary history of the organism they once belonged to.

   Ostraca provide valuable information about the morphology, growth patterns, and paleoecology of ancient mollusks or other shell-bearing organisms. By analyzing the size, shape, ribbing, and other features present on an ostracum, researchers can identify the species to which it belongs and infer aspects of its lifestyle, habitat preference, and even diet.

   Ostraca are often discovered through fossil hunting or during archaeological excavations. They are carefully collected and preserved by experts for further study and analysis. As a crucial source of paleontological data, ostraca contribute to our understanding of past ecosystems, climate change, and the evolution of marine life on Earth.

Common Misspellings for OSTRACUM

• istracum
• kstracum
• lstracum
• pstracum
• 0stracum
• 9stracum
• oatracum
• oztracum
• oxtracum
• odtracum
• oetracum
• owtracum
• osrracum
• osfracum
• osgracum
• osyracum
• os6racum
• os5racum
• osteacum
• ostdacum

Etymology of OSTRACUM

The word "ostracum" has its etymology in Ancient Greece. It is derived from the Greek word "ostrakon" (ὄστρακον), meaning "shell" or "potsherd". In Ancient Athens, during a democratic procedure known as ostracism, citizens would vote to banish or exile a prominent individual from the city for ten years. The voting process involved writing the name of the person to be ostracized on a piece of broken pottery, or ostrakon (plural: ostraca). Thus, the term "ostracum" refers to the practice and the resulting banishment.