See Also: Palaeozoic(dictionary)

Palaeozoic (iou)



Palaeozoic adjective & noun. Also *Paleozoic. M19.
[from PALAEO- + -ZOIC.]
A. adjective.
Geology. Designating or pertaining to the earliest era of the Phanerozoic eon, extending from the Cambrian to the Permian (orig., to the Silurian), following the Proterozoic, and marked by the development of marine and terrestrial plants and animals, esp. invertebrates. M19.
fig. Belonging to the most ancient or the lowest stage. M19.
b. noun. Geology.
A Palaeozoic rock or stratum. Usu. in pl. M19.
The Palaeozoic era; the rocks collectively dating from this time. M19.