Carboniferous

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to the geological period between the Devonian and Permian, about 359 to 299 million years ago

   The valley exposes Carboniferous rocks containing fossil ferns and coal seams.

2. 2
   noun

   the Carboniferous geological period or its corresponding system of rocks

   Vast swamp forests flourished during the Carboniferous.

3. 3
   adj

   containing, producing, or yielding coal or carbon

   Mining expanded where surveys identified thick carboniferous strata.

Formed from Latin carbo, carbonis, 'coal,' + -ferous, 'bearing,' from ferre, 'to carry.' The adjective originally meant coal-bearing. Geologists William Conybeare and William Phillips established Carboniferous as the name of the coal-rich geological system in the early nineteenth century.

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