Meanings
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1
noun
the geological period of the Paleozoic Era between the Silurian and Carboniferous periods, about 419 to 359 million years ago
Many major groups of fishes diversified during the Devonian.
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2
adj
dating from or relating to the Devonian geological period or its rocks and organisms
The museum displayed a fossil fish from Devonian rock.
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3
noun
a native or inhabitant of Devon in southwestern England
As a lifelong Devonian, she knew the county's coastal paths well.
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4
adj
relating to Devon or its people
The archive preserves records of Devonian farming communities.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Devon, the county in southwestern England, + -ian. Roderick Murchison and Adam Sedgwick named the geological system in 1839 after studying the distinctive rocks of Devon; the same formation independently serves as the demonym and adjective for the county.