Asaphite
/ˈæs.ə.faɪt/noun
A trilobite belonging to the genus Asaphus, especially one from the family Asaphidae.
Did you know?The genus name Asaphus is generally connected with Ancient Greek asaphēs, meaning “unclear” or “ indistinct,” likely referring to difficult-to-interpret fossil features rather than anything supernatural.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀσαφής (asaphēs)
“Unclear, indistinct, or not plainly visible; formed with a- meaning “not” and saphēs meaning “clear.””
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Asaphus
“A taxonomic genus name applied to a group of trilobites.”
19th Century
Scientific English
asaphite
“A trilobite of the genus Asaphus.”
Modern English
English
Asaphite
“A member of the Asaphus group of fossil trilobites.”