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Webster 1913 Edition

Cenozoic

Ceˊno-zo′ic

,
Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK] recent + [GREEK] life.]
(Geol.)
Belonging to the most recent division of geological time, including the tertiary, or Age of mammals, and the Quaternary, or Age of man.
[Written also
cænozoic
,
cainozoic
,
kainozoic
.]
See
Geology
.
☞ This word is used by many authors as synonymous with Tertiary, the Quaternary Age not being included.

Definition 2024

Cenozoic

Cenozoic

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

Cenozoic ‎(not comparable)

  1. (geology) Of or pertaining to the Cenozoic era.

Translations

Proper noun

Cenozoic

  1. (geology) A geologic era within the Phanerozoic eon comprising the Paleogene and Neogene periods from about 65 million years ago to the present, when the continents moved to their current position and modern plants and animals evolved.

Translations

See also

  • Appendix:Geologic timescale

References

  1. ↑ W. E. Flood, "The Pronunciation of Scientific Terms", in The New Scientist, 28 November 1957.

Etymology

ceno- +‎ -zoic; from Ancient Greek καινός ‎(kainós, “new”) + ζωή ‎(zōḗ, “life”)

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌkeɪnəʊˈzəʊɪk/, /ˌsɛnɵˈzəʊɪk/, /ˌsiːnɵˈzəʊɪk/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌkɛnɵˈzoʊɪk/, /ˌsɛnɵˈzoʊɪk/, /ˌsinɵˈzoʊɪk/
  • Rhymes: -əʊɪk

The pronunciations with /k/ were the only ones in use until the twentieth century. The forms with /s/ were considered incorrect pronunciations until at least the 1950s[1] and still may be by some speakers today.

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