designating or of the first geologic era of the Phanerozoic Eon, characterized by the development of the first fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and land plants
See Paleozoic in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(pāˌlē-ə-zōˈĭk)
adjective
Of, belonging to, or designating the era of geologic time that includes the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Mississippian, Pennsylvanian, and Permian periods and is characterized by the appearance of marine invertebrates, primitive fishes, land plants, and primitive reptiles. See Table at geologic time.