azoic

¹ American  

[a-zoh-ik] / æˈzoʊ ɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the azo group.

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azoic ² American  

[uh-zoh-ik, ey-] / əˈzoʊ ɪk, eɪ- /

adjective

Geology.

1. (formerly) noting or pertaining to the Precambrian Era, especially that part formerly believed to precede the first appearance of life; Archean.

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azoic British  

/ eɪ-, əˈzəʊɪk /

adjective

1. without life; characteristic of the ages that have left no evidence of life in the form of organic remains

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Etymology

Origin of azoic¹

azo- + -ic

Origin of azoic¹

1840–50; < Greek ázō ( os ) lifeless ( azo- ) + -ic

Example Sentences

Heretofore, as is well known, an immense series of rocks below the silurians have been termed azoic, as exhibiting no remains of animal life; but this term must now be dismissed.

From Project Gutenberg

Geologists have divided a few years of the worlds history into periods, reaching from the azoic rocks to the soil of our time.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter formation is found in other sections with precarboniferous limestone and also with crystalline limestone of the azoic age.

From Project Gutenberg

When they knocked off the mould, these same authorities found that Challoner was right: this bit of concrete wall was as solid as if it had been cut out of smooth azoic rock.

From Project Gutenberg

Scientists long ago clung to the "azoic hypothesis" about the deep -- the presumption that nothing could possibly be alive so far from the photosynthetic world.

From Washington Post