Pleistocene

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

"Most New" or "Newest", pertaining to the glacial period, coined in 1839 by Charles Lyell from the Greek πλεῖστος (pleîstos, “most”) (superlative of πολύς (polús, “much”); see poly-) and καινός (kainós, “new”) (latinised as cænus).

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /ˈplaɪstəˌsiːn, -toʊ-/

Adjective

Pleistocene (not comparable)

  1. (geology) Of a geologic epoch within the Neogene period from about 2,588,000 to 11,700 years ago (earlier definition 1.7 million to 11,000 years ago); marked by the evolution of man, and the extinction of the large mammals.

Translations

Proper noun

Pleistocene

  1. (geology) The Pleistocene epoch.

Translations

See also

  • Appendix:Geologic timescale
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