interglacial

[ in-ter-gley-shuh l ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈgleɪ ʃəl /

adjective Geology.

occurring or formed between times of glacial action.

Nearby words

Origin of interglacial

First recorded in 1865–70; inter- + glacial

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for interglacial

It will be noted that I have indicated most separations as having taken place in interglacial ages.
Speciation of the Wandering Shrew|James S. Findley
Many of the valleys of our present rivers are but patchworks of preglacial, interglacial, and postglacial courses (Fig. 366).
The Elements of Geology|William Harmon Norton
The interglacial stages represent the 10,500 year periods when the earth in winter (northern hemisphere) is nearest the sun.
Geology|William J. Miller
These gravels are exactly comparable to the interglacial gravels of the Sonthofen sections.
Fragments of Earth Lore|James Geikie

During the first and second interglacial epochs the climate appears to have been warmer than at present.
The New Stone Age in Northern Europe|John M. Tyler

British Dictionary definitions for interglacial

interglacial

/ (ˌɪntəˈɡleɪsɪəl, -ʃəl) /

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

interglacial

adj.

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

Science definitions for interglacial

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.