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Pleistocene

(plīs′tə sēn′)

adjective

designating or of the first geologic epoch of the Quaternary Period, characterized by a series of advancing and retreating continental glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere and the development of modern humans and toolmaking cultures

Origin: < Gr pleistos, most, superl. of polys, much (see poly-) + -cene

See Pleistocene in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of or belonging to the geologic time, rock series, or sedimentary deposits of the earlier of the two epochs of the Quaternary Period, characterized by the alternate appearance and recession of northern glaciation, the appearance and worldwide spread of hominids, and the extinction of numerous land mammals, such as the mammoths, mastodons, and saber-toothed tigers. See Table at geologic time.

noun

The Pleistocene Epoch or its system of deposits.

Origin:

Origin: Greek pleistos, most; see pelə-¹ in Indo-European roots

Origin: + -cene

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