Permian

Per·mi·an  (pûrm-n, pr-)

adj.

Of or belonging to the geologic time, system of rocks, or sedimentary deposits of the seventh and last period of the Paleozoic Era, characterized by the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea, the rise of conifers, and the diversification of reptiles and ending with the largest known mass extinction in the history of life. See Table at geologic time.

n.

The Permian Period.

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[After Perm Oblast, a region of west-central Russia.]

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Permian

Adjective

Geol of the period of geological time about 280 million years ago [after Perm, Russian port]

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Permian  (pûrm-n)

The seventh and last period of the Paleozoic Era, from about 286 to 245 million years ago. During the Permian Period the supercontinent Pangaea, comprising almost all of today's landmasses, formed. Gymnosperms evolved, the first modern conifers appeared, and reptiles diversified. The Permian Period ended with the largest known mass extinction in the history of life. It wiped out nearly 90 percent of known marine life forms. See Chart at geologic time.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Permian - from 280 million to 230 million years ago; reptiles Permian period Paleozoic, Paleozoic era - from 544 million to about 230 million years ago