azoic

¹ American  

[uh-zoh-ik, ay-] / 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 ² American  

[a-zoh-ik] / æˈzoʊ ɪk /

adjective

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

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azoic British  

/ əˈzəʊɪk, eɪ- /

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

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

Origin of azoic²

azo- + -ic

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

azoic

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 ● May 16, 2010

Thus such of the first-formed strata as survived the repeated changes of level, would be practically "azoic;" like the Cambrian of our geologists.

From Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I by Herbert Spencer

He has explored portions of that continent as far down as the azoic rocks, and made many important discoveries as to the past life of the globe.

From Life: Its True Genesis by R. W. Wright

We may infer, then, that the strata deposited next after the almost "azoic" strata, would contain the remains of invertebrata, allied to those found near the shores of Australia and South America.

From Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I by Herbert Spencer

It is a mistake to call this lake azoic.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 13, No. 78, April, 1864 by Various

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