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Glite Dictionary
🥶 A cold period ❄️ Relating to a stage
stadial

stadial

1 9.9
Relating to a specific cold time during an ice age
  • adjective
  • /ˈsteɪdiəl/
  • Specialized
: estadal
  • During the last glacial period, the Earth experienced several stadial phases that significantly influenced the environment.

Examples

  • Scientists identified distinct stadial intervals in the geological record, highlighting major changes in temperature.

  • The graph shows the long-term trend as clearly: down -- we could be heading into the next glaciation (or stadial) real soon!

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  • The researchers studied the stadial climate to understand its effects on ancient ecosystems.

Synonyms

glacial
vsstadial
3 6.1

Very cold in temperature like ice

refers to a distinct cold stage or period in geological time

Surface Forms

stadial positive

Morphology

stadial = stadium (semi-transparent) = stadi + al

The adjective-forming suffix is regular, but many learners know 'stadium' mainly as a sports arena rather than as 'stage or period'.

Etymology

Stadial comes from an old word meaning 'stage', the same root as stadium and the English word stage. So when something is stadial it belongs to a particular 'stage' or period, often a colder 'stage' in an ice age.