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Gravettian

[ gruh-vet-ee-uhn ]
/ grəˈvɛt i ən /

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of an advanced Upper Paleolithic industry of Europe dating to c25,000 b.c. and characterized by straight, blunt-backed blades.

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Origin of Gravettian

1935–40; after la Gravette on the Dordogne, France; see -ian

Words nearby Gravettian

Gravesend, Gravesham, graveside, gravesite, gravestone, Gravettian, grave-wax, graveyard, graveyard orbit, graveyard shift, graveyard slot
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for Gravettian

Gravettian
/ (ɡrəˈvɛtɪən) /

adjective

of, referring to, or characteristic of an Upper Palaeolithic culture, characterized esp by small pointed blades with blunt backs

Word Origin for Gravettian

C20: from La Gravette on the Dordogne, France
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012