Carboniferous

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌkɑɹbəˈnɪfɚəs/ UK /ˌkɑːbəˈnɪfərəs/ See IPA manual

Freq #89717

Meanings

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

noun
the Carboniferous geological period or its corresponding system of rocks

Vast swamp forests flourished during the Carboniferous.
3

adj
containing, producing, or yielding coal or carbon

Mining expanded where surveys identified thick carboniferous strata.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · the carboniferous... Carboniferous periodCarboniferous system

3 adj · containing, producing, or... coal-bearingcarbon-bearingcarbonaceous

Word family

Related forms carbon coal Paleozoic DevonianPermian

Etymology

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.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# Carboniferous

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌkɑɹbəˈnɪfɚəs/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌkɑːbəˈnɪfərəs/
**Frequency rank:** 89717

## Meanings
1. relating to the geological period between the Devonian and Permian, about 359 to 299 million years ago
2. the Carboniferous geological period or its corresponding system of rocks
3. containing, producing, or yielding coal or carbon

## Examples
- The valley exposes Carboniferous rocks containing fossil ferns and coal seams.
- Vast swamp forests flourished during the Carboniferous.
- Mining expanded where surveys identified thick carboniferous strata.

## Synonyms
- Carboniferous period
- Carboniferous system
- coal-bearing
- carbon-bearing
- carbonaceous

## Related Forms
- carbon
- coal
- Paleozoic
- Devonian
- Permian

## Etymology
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.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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