Siliceous—containing or pertaining to [silica].

Silicification—the process of combining or impregnating with [silica].

Silurian—the third oldest [period] of the [Paleozoic] era; follows the [Ordovician], precedes the [Devonian].

Sinus—an elongate depression on [brachiopod] shells.

Siphuncle—in cephalopods, the segmented horny or [calcareous] tube which extends from the [protoconch] to the living chamber.

Slickensides—polished and grooved surfaces that are the result of two [rock] masses sliding past each other as in faulting.

Solitary—living alone; not part of a colony.

Species—one of the smaller natural divisions in classification.

Specific name—see [Trivial name].

Spicule—a minute spike or dart, skeletal element in sponges and holothurians.