Ordovician

Definition

Of a geologic period within the Paleozoic era; comprises lower, middle and upper epochs from about 488 to 443 million years ago.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₃erg-der.? Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-der.? Proto-Celtic *ordosder. Proto-Indo-European *weyk-der. Proto-Celtic *wiketider. Latin Ordovīcēslbor. English Ordovices Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Italic *-nos Latin -nus Latin -ānus Latin -iānusbor. English -ian English Ordovician From Ordovices + -ian. Coined by English geologist Charles Lapworth in 1879 after the Celtic tribe of the Ordovices.

Example Sentences

• "Against the dark Ordovician gabbro, the black volcanic base, Rhynie is a streak of technicolour."