Advertisement
Advertisement
quaternary
[ kwot-er-ner-ee, kwuh-tur-nuh-ree ]
adjective
- consisting of four.
- arranged in fours.
- (initial capital letter) Geology. noting or pertaining to the present period of earth history, forming the latter part of the Cenozoic Era, originating about 2 million years ago and including the Recent and Pleistocene Epochs.
- Metallurgy. (of an alloy) having four principal constituents.
noun
- a group of four.
- the number four.
- (initial capital letter) Geology. the Quaternary Period or System.
quaternary
1/ kwəˈtɜːnərɪ /
adjective
- consisting of fours or by fours
- fourth in a series
- chem containing or being an atom bound to four other atoms or groups
a quaternary ammonium compound
- maths having four variables
noun
- the number four or a set of four
Quaternary
2/ kwəˈtɜːnərɪ /
adjective
- of, denoting, or formed in the most recent period of geological time, which succeeded the Tertiary period nearly two million years ago
noun
- the Quaternarythe Quaternary the Quaternary period or rock system, divided into Pleistocene and Holocene (Recent) epochs or series
quaternary
/ kwŏt′ər-nĕr′ē /
Noun
- Quaternary . The second and last period of the Cenozoic Era, from about 2 million years ago to the present. During this time the continents were situated approximately as they are today, although the geography was different due to fluctuations in sea levels caused by the advance and retreat of ice sheets. Humans first appeared during this period.
- See Chart at geologic time
Adjective
- Relating to or having a carbon atom that is attached to four other carbon atoms in a molecule. Quaternary pentane, for example, contains five carbon atoms of which one is in the center and the other four are each attached to it.
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of quaternary1
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of quaternary1
Discover More
Example Sentences
And the bones of man himself appear, extending through what is known as the Quaternary or Pleistocene period.
Subspeciation has been enhanced by the late Quaternary mountain building which was prevalent over the western United States.
A distinct species characterised the Quaternary deposits of South America.
The Tertiary and Quaternary formations are partly of marine and partly of terrestrial and fresh-water origin.
The Post-tertiary or Quaternary division comprises the concluding chapters of geological history.
Advertisement
Word of the Day
[flab-er-gast ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse