Miocene

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the geological epoch from about 23 million to 5.3 million years ago, within the Neogene Period

   Several important ape fossils are known from deposits of the Miocene.

2. 2
   adj

   relating to or formed during the Miocene epoch

   The museum displayed a Miocene primate jaw recovered from ancient sediments.

Coined in 1831 by William Whewell for Charles Lyell from Greek meion, 'less,' + kainos, 'new or recent.' Lyell used it for strata containing a smaller proportion of living mollusc species than the later Pliocene; the modern epoch spans about 23 to 5.3 million years ago.

Topics