zoic

¹ British  

/ ˈzəʊɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or having animal life

2. geology (of rocks, strata, etc) containing fossilized animals

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-zoic ² British  

combining form

1. indicating a geological era

   Palaeozoic

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Etymology

Origin of zoic¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek zōion animal

Origin of -zoic²

from Greek zōē life + _-ic

Explanation

The adjective zoic describes something that resembles an animal or contains evidence of life. You might entertain your brother by making zoic hand shadows on his wall. Zoic comes from the Greek zoion, "animal," and its root, which means "life." The word is rarely used as an adjective today, although it shows up as a suffix in scientific terms, like the Paleozoic (or "old life") Era. You're most likely to come across zoic in descriptions of the many myths and legends that center on animals, like the zoic folklore of the Plains Indians, which describes the exploits of the creator and trickster Coyote.

Example Sentences

The name Phanerozoic comes from phaneros, which means visible, and zoic, meaning life.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The heavenly bodies, the sun and moon and stars, are mythic animals, and all of the phenomena of nature are attributed to these zoic beings.

From Canyons of the Colorado by Powell, John Wesley

Their gods are zoic, and the chief among them are the wolf, the rabbit, the eagle, the jay, the rattlesnake, and the spider.

From Canyons of the Colorado by Powell, John Wesley

Prominent among the animate representatives of the zoic pantheon throughout the arid region is the serpent, especially the venomous and hence mysteriously potent rattlesnake.

From Man, Past and Present by Haddon, Alfred Court

The Indians are very skillful actors, and they represent the parts of beasts or reptiles, wearing masks and imitating the ancient zoic gods.

From Canyons of the Colorado by Powell, John Wesley