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Mesozoic

(mes′ə zō′ik, mez′-)

adjective

designating or of the middle geologic era of the Phanerozoic Eon, subdivided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and characterized by the development and extinction of the dinosaurs and the development of the first birds, mammals, and flowering plants

Origin: meso- + zo- + -ic

See Mesozoic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of, belonging to, or designating the era of geologic time that includes the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and is characterized by the development of flying reptiles, birds, and flowering plants and by the appearance and extinction of dinosaurs. See Table at geologic time.

noun

The Mesozoic Era.

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