interglacial

[in-ter-gley-shuh l]

adjective Geology.

occurring or formed between times of glacial action.

Origin of interglacial

First recorded in 1865–70; inter- + glacial

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Examples from the Web for interglacial

Historical Examples of interglacial

According to Penck and Brckner, therefore, the lss is of interglacial age.
Fragments of Earth Lore
James Geikie
The interglacial deposits, as described by Heer and others, are well known.
Fragments of Earth Lore
James Geikie
This we are to suppose was the cause of the interglacial epoch.
Fragments of Earth Lore
James Geikie
Interglacial ages were characterized by warmth and aridity as compared to the glacial ages.
Speciation of the Wandering Shrew
James S. Findley
The names of currently recognized glacial and interglacial ages of the Pleistocene are listed below.
Speciation of the Wandering Shrew
James S. Findley

British Dictionary definitions for interglacial

interglacial

adjective

occurring or formed between periods of glacial action

noun

a period of comparatively warm climate between two glaciations, esp of the Pleistocene epoch

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

Word Origin and History for interglacial

adj.

1867, from German, coined 1865 by Swiss naturalist Oswald Heer (1809-1883); see inter- + glacial.

interglacial in Science

interglacial

[ĭn′tər-glā′shəl]

Adjective

Occurring between glacial epochs.

Noun

A comparatively short period of warmth during an overall period of glaciation. Interglacials are characterized both by the melting of ice and by a change in vegetation.