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Glite Dictionary
Precambrian

Precambrian

9.9
A very long part of Earth's history from about 3.8 billion to 544 million years ago
  • noun
  • /priˈkæmbriən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : precámbrico
  • Research on Precambrian deposits has revealed vital information about the planet's atmosphere and climate millions of years ago.

Examples

  • Many fossils found in Precambrian layers help scientists learn about the conditions on Earth before complex life emerged.

  • The geologist studied rock formations from the Precambrian era to understand the early history of Earth.

  • F. Periods of the Earth: Precambrian to the current Quaternary Era.

    Academic text (2004)

Synonyms

Precambrian eon
vsPrecambrian
  • Specialized
9.9

A long period in Earth's history from about 3,800 million to 544 million years ago

is a general description of that long geological time span
Precambrian period
vsPrecambrian
  • Specialized
8.3

A very long time in Earth's early history with only very simple life like bacteria

describes the time span without addressing naming differences

Compounds

Precambrian eon
  • Specialized
9.9

A long period in Earth's history from about 3,800 million to 544 million years ago

Precambrian period
  • Specialized
8.3

A very long time in Earth's early history with only very simple life like bacteria

Surface Forms

Precambrian singular
Precambrians plural

Morphology

Precambrian = Cambrian (transparent) = pre + Cambri + an

Given knowledge of 'Cambrian', adding 'pre-' straightforwardly gives the meaning 'before the Cambrian'.

Etymology

Precambrian comes from pre- meaning 'before' and Cambrian, the time when many animals first appear in the fossil record. So Precambrian means the very long time 'before' the Cambrian, Earth's earliest history when life was mostly simple and microscopic.