Cenozoic

Ce·no·zo·ic  (sn-zk, sn-)

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.

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[Greek kainos, new; see ken- in Indo-European roots + -zoic.]

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Cenozoic or Caenozoic [see-no-zoh-ik]

Adjective

Geol of the most recent geological era, beginning 65 million years ago, characterized by the development and increase of the mammals [Greek kainos recent + zōion animal]

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Cenozoic  (sn-zk)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Cenozoic - approximately the last 63 million years Age of Mammals, Cenozoic era Phanerozoic, Phanerozoic aeon, Phanerozoic eon - the period from about 5,400 million years ago until the present Age of Man, Quaternary, Quaternary period - last 2 million years Tertiary, Tertiary period - from 63 million to 2 million years ago
Adj.	1.	Cenozoic - of or relating to or denoting the Cenozoic era