Archaean

Ar·chae·an  (är-kn)

adj.

Variant of Archean.

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archaean [ɑːˈkɪən]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) any member of the Archaea, a domain of prokaryotic microorganisms, distinguished from bacteria on molecular phylogenetic grounds and often found in hostile environments, such as volcanic vents and hot springs

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Archaean esp US, Archean [ɑːˈkiːən]

adj

1. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) of or relating to the highly metamorphosed rocks formed in the early Precambrian era

2. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) the earlier of two divisions of the Precambrian era, during which the earliest forms of life are assumed to have appeared

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Archaean  (är-kn)

Another spelling of Archean.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

archaean - of or relating to the earliest known rocks formed during the Precambrian Eon archean geology - a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks early - at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time; "early morning"; "an early warning"; "early diagnosis"; "an early death"; "took early retirement"; "an early spring"; "early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties"