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cainozoic

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Cai⋅no⋅zo⋅ic

[kahy-nuh-zoh-ik, key-]
–adjective, noun Geology.
Cenozoic.

Ce⋅no⋅zo⋅ic

[see-nuh-zoh-ik, sen-uh-] Geology
–adjective
1. noting or pertaining to the present era, beginning 65 million years ago and characterized by the ascendancy of mammals.
–noun
2. the Cenozoic Era or group of systems.
Also, Cainozoic.


Origin:
1850–55; ceno- 1 + zo- + -ic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Science Dictionary
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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