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quaternary
quaternary definition
qua·ter·nary (kwät′ər ner′ē, kwə tʉr′nə rē)
adjective
- consisting of four; in sets of four
- designating or of the second and current geologic period of the Cenozoic Era, usually subdivided into the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs and characterized by a series of ice ages, the first toolmaking cultures, and the rise of modern human culture
- Chem.
- designating a compound or alloy containing four different components or elements quaternary silver
- being, of, or containing an atom linked to four carbon atoms a quaternary nitrogen atom
Etymology: L quaternarius < quaterni, four together, four each < quater, four times < base of quattuor, four
noun pl. quaternaries -·nar′·ies (-nar′ies)
- the number four
- a set of four
quaternary Idioms
the Quaternary
the Quaternary Period or its rocks
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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