Ce·no·zo·ic   (sē'nə-zō'ĭk, sěn'ə-)    adj.  Of, belonging to, or designating the latest era of geologic time, which includes the Tertiary Period and the Quaternary Period and is characterized by the formation of modern continents, glaciation, and the diversification of mammals, birds, and plants. See Table at geologic time. n.  The Cenozoic Era. [Greek kainos, new; see ken- in Indo-European roots + -zoic.]

Cenozoic

Ce`no*zo"ic\, a. [Gr. ? recent + ? 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 c[ae]nozoic, cainozoic, kainozoic.] See Geology.

Note: This word is used by many authors as synonymous with Tertiary, the Quaternary Age not being included.

Cenozoic   (sěn'ə-zō'ĭk)  Pronunciation Key  The most recent era of geologic time, from about 65 million years ago to the present. The Cenozoic Era is characterized by the formation of modern continents and the diversification of mammals and plants. Grasses also evolved during the Cenozoic. The climate was warm and tropical toward the beginning of the era and cooled significantly in the second half, leading to several ice ages. Humans first appeared near the end of this era. See Chart at geologic time.