Devonian

[ duh-voh-nee-uhn ]

adjective

1. Geology. noting or pertaining to a period of the Paleozoic Era, 405 to 345 million years ago, characterized by the dominance of fishes and the advent of amphibians and ammonites.
2. of or relating to Devonshire, England.

noun

1. Geology. the Devonian Period or System.

Devonian

/ dəˈvəʊnɪən /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the fourth period of the Palaeozoic era, between the Silurian and Carboniferous periods, lasting 60-70 million years during which amphibians first appeared
2. of or relating to Devon

noun

1. the Devonian
   the Devonian period or rock system

Devonian

/ dĭ-vō′nē-ən /

1. The fourth period of the Paleozoic Era, from about 408 to 360 million years ago. During this time there were three major landmasses: most of modern day North America and Europe were located along the equator; a portion of Siberia was located to the north; and a continent consisting of South America, Australia, Africa, India, and Antarctica was located in the Southern Hemisphere. In the early Devonian small plants dominated the landscape, but by the end of the Devonian ferns and seed plants had appeared, as had the first forests. The first tetrapods (terrestrial vertebrates) and terrestrial arthropods appeared, as did many new types of fish.
2. See Chart at geologic time

Other Words From

• post-De·voni·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Devonian¹

1605–15; < Medieval Latin Devoni ( a ) Devon + -an

Example Sentences

From Lincoln Pioneer Village and Devonian-era fossil beds to the spires of ancient stalactites at Marengo Cave, dinosaur lovers and water enthusiasts alike will find no shortage of attractions along this route.

From Outside Online

The whole region is underlain by nearly horizontal and undisturbed rocks of the Palaeozoic from the Devonian downward.

From Project Gutenberg

The volcanic outbursts which followed became feebler in the Devonian and Carboniferous periods and ceased with the Permian.

From Project Gutenberg

In the succeeding Devonian System these are followed by the dipneusta, transitional forms between the fishes and the amphibia.

From Project Gutenberg

The Devonian and Cornishman will be found by the visitor to be courteous and hospitable.

From Project Gutenberg

Can any of your Devonian readers give additional particulars of his office or his duties?

From Project Gutenberg