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Glite Dictionary
Devonian period

Devonian period

1 9.6
A time about 419 to 359 million years ago when fish were dominant and the first amphibians appeared
  • noun
  • /dɪˈvoʊniən ˈpɪərɪəd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : período devoniano
  • Paleontologists have discovered well-preserved fossils from the Devonian period in several parts of the world.

Examples

  • During the Devonian period, early amphibians began to transition from water to land.

  • The Devonian period was a time of significant evolutionary developments in marine life.

  • The Devonian period is known for its diverse marine life.

  • During the Devonian period, fish evolved rapidly.

  • The Devonian period, which lasted from about 419 to 359 million years ago, is known for the first appearance of amphibians in Earth's history.

  • During the Devonian period, fish became the dominant organisms in the oceans, showcasing a remarkable diversification of species.

  • Fossils from the Devonian period reveal the existence of ancient coral reefs, which were home to a variety of marine life.

Synonyms

Devonian
vsDevonian period
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A period about 419 to 359 million years ago when many fish live and early land animals appear

is the same meaning but usually expressed with the word period added
Age of Fishes
vsDevonian period
  • Specialized
9.2

A time 405 to 345 million years ago when fishes dominated and early amphibians and ammonites appeared

has an earlier start and a later end date than the linked one

Surface Forms

Devonian period singular
Devonian periods plural

Morphology

Devonian + period

The phrase is fully compositional: 'Devonian' names a specific geological era and 'period' means a measured interval, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes that geological timespan. This follows common cross-linguistic naming patterns for historical/geological periods and is not idiomatic or metaphorical.

Etymology

Devonian period comes from the county of Devon in England, where rocks from this time were first studied in the 1800s. So today Devonian period 'means' the time in Earth's history about 419 to 359 million years ago when fish were very common and the first animals began to move onto land.