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Glite Dictionary
Phanerozoic

Phanerozoic

9.9
A long period of Earth's history starting about 540 million years ago when many animals and plants appear
  • noun
  • /ˌfænəroʊˈzoʊɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fanerozoico
  • The Phanerozoic eon is characterized by the emergence and evolution of complex life forms.

Examples

  • Did you know that the Phanerozoic began about 540 million years ago?

  • The Phanerozoic eon is characterized by the emergence and evolution of complex life forms.

  • Fossils from the Phanerozoic period provide key evidence for understanding evolutionary history.

  • The Earth's crust contains numerous layers dating back to the Phanerozoic eon.

  • The Phanerozoic eon is characterized by diverse life forms.

  • Fossils from the Phanerozoic period provide key evidence for understanding evolutionary history.

  • The Earth's crust contains numerous layers dating back to the Phanerozoic eon.

Synonyms

Phanerozoic eon
vsPhanerozoic
  • Specialized
9.9

A time in Earth's history from about 540 million years ago to now when many kinds of life appear

is the same time period but lacks the explicit time-period noun

Compounds

Phanerozoic eon
  • Specialized
9.9

A time in Earth's history from about 540 million years ago to now when many kinds of life appear

Surface Forms

Phanerozoic singular
Phanerozoics plural

Morphology

Phanerozoic = phanero + zoic

Formed from the specialized Greek combining forms 'phanero-' (visible) + '-zoic' (relating to life); these elements are not standalone English words, so the meaning is not inferable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word Phanerozoic comes from Greek parts phanero- meaning 'visible' and -zoic (from zo-) meaning 'life'. So it literally means the 'time of visible life', which fits because this eon is marked by many animals and plants that appear in the fossil record.