Precambrian

or Pre-Cam·bri·an

[ pree-kam-bree-uhn, -keym- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

noting or pertaining to the earliest era of earth history, ending 570 million years ago, during which the earth's crust formed and life first appeared in the seas.

Precambrian

/ priːˈkæmbrɪən /

of, denoting, or formed in the earliest geological era, which lasted for about 4 000 000 000 years before the Cambrian period

See Proterozoic, Archaeozoic
the Precambrian
the Precambrian the Precambrian era See Archaeozoic Proterozoic

Precambrian

/ prē-kăm′brē-ən,-kām′- /

The period of geologic time between Hadean Time and the Phanerozoic Eon, from about 3.8 billion to 540 million years ago. During the Precambrian Eon, which is divided into the Archean and Proterozoic, primitive forms of life first appeared on Earth.
See Chart at geologic time

First recorded in 1860–65; pre- + Cambrian

We may take our own country as a region where a good development of the Precambrian rocks occurs.

A few explanatory remarks concerning the mode of detection of Precambrian rocks may not be amiss.

These Torridonian strata furnish us with the most satisfactory group of Precambrian sediments yet detected in Britain.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Start 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.

Browse