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Glite Dictionary
Carboniferous period

Carboniferous period

1 8.4
A time about 345 to 280 million years ago when large swamp forests formed coal
  • noun
  • /ˌkɑːrbəˈnɪfərəs ˈpɪərɪəd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : período Carbonífero

Examples

  • Dates back from the Carboniferous period.

    The Bay (2012)

  • The Carboniferous period, lasting from about 345 to 280 million years ago, was known for its vast coal beds and dense forests.

  • During the Carboniferous period, the Earth was covered with extensive forests that contributed to the formation of coal deposits.

  • Fossilized remains of plants from the Carboniferous period provide insight into the lush ecosystems of that time in Earth's history.

Synonyms

Carboniferous
vsCarboniferous period
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A period in Earth's history about 359 to 299 million years ago when many coal beds formed

is the same period but with slightly different date estimates

Surface Forms

Carboniferous period singular
Carboniferous periods plural

Morphology

Carboniferous + period

The meaning is directly compositional: 'Carboniferous' names a specific geological time interval (characterized by coal formation) and 'period' denotes a measured interval, so a learner who knows both constituents will readily infer it refers to that geological time. This follows common naming patterns for geological periods (e.g. Jurassic period), making the expression transparent to B1 learners who know the words.

Etymology

Carboniferous period comes from the parts carbon (meaning coal) and -iferous (meaning 'bearing' or 'carrying'). Huge swamp forests from that time later turned into coal, so the name means the period when much coal formed.