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Pliocene
[ plahy-uh-seen ]
adjective
- noting or pertaining to an epoch of the Tertiary Period, occurring from 10 to 2 million years ago, and characterized by increased size and numbers of mammals, by the growth of mountains, and by global climatic cooling.
noun
- the Pliocene Epoch or Series.
Pliocene
/ ˈplaɪəʊˌsiːn /
adjective
- of, denoting, or formed in the last epoch of the Tertiary period, which lasted for three million years, during which many modern mammals appeared
noun
- the Pliocenethe Pliocene the Pliocene epoch or rock series
Pliocene
/ plī′ə-sēn′ /
- The fifth and last epoch of the Tertiary Period, from about 5 to 2 million years ago. During this time the global climate became cooler and the number and expanse of grasslands and savannas increased greatly. This change in vegetation was accompanied by an increase in long-legged grazers. The land bridge between North America and South America also formed at this time, and massive ice sheets accumulated at the poles. In the later part of the epoch many of the species living in polar regions became extinct.
- See Chart at geologic time
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Other Words From
- post-Plio·cene adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of Pliocene1
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Example Sentences
He may not be from the Pliocene Era, but his views sure are.
It may have been as far back as the early Pliocene or the late Miocene Period, or even earlier.
Pliocene deposits have been found in the Riviera at an altitude of 1,800 feet.
The climatic conditions of Pliocene times show steady fall of temperature.
The term 'Crag' has been applied to shelly sands of which the British Pliocene beds are largely composed.
Ameghino refers it to the Pliocene period, excepting the lower divisions which he regards as upper Miocene.
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