-zoic

¹

combining form

1. indicating a geological era

   Palaeozoic

zoic

²

/ ˈzəʊɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or having animal life
2. geology (of rocks, strata, etc) containing fossilized animals

Word History and Origins

Origin of -zoic¹

from Greek zōē life + -ic

Origin of -zoic²

C19: from New Latin, from Greek zōion animal

More About Zoic

What does zoic mean?

Zoic describes something that is related to animal life or that looks like an animal, such as a zoic sculpture—that is, a sculpture that has an animal shape.

A rare word, zoic also describes something that contains a fossilized animal, such as a rock.

Zoic is also used as a combining form to describe something that is related to a certain animal. Geologic eras, which are named for the life common at that time, are a good example of this. In the Paleozoic era, for instance, fish, insects, and reptiles began to appear, while in the Mesozoic era, flowering plants began to appear and dinosaurs appeared and died out.

Example: Raul’s school combined science and art by having students create zoic sculptures for the upcoming academic fair.

Where does zoic come from?

The first records of the term zoic come from around the 1860s. It ultimately comes from the Greek term zōion, meaning “animal.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to zoic?

• -zoic (combining form)

What are some words that share a root or word element with zoic? 

• Paleozoic
• Mesozoic
• Cenozoic
• holozoic

What are some words that often get used in discussing zoic?

• animal
• geologic
• fossil
• species

How is zoic used in real life?

Zoic is a rare word mostly used in discussions of science, history, or studies of animals.

@WHSG_GEOGRAPHY do you mean 'zoic'? It comes from the Greek for animal (like zoo) as many sedimentary rocks are dated by their fossils.

— Hazel Gibson 🇪🇺 (@iamhazelgibson) January 20, 2014

ZOIC
Sweden
Formed 1994
Power

1996 Total Level of Destruction

Zoic (zō′ik): 1.Origin: Gr zōikos, pertaining to animals, having a (specified) animal way of life. 2. Origin: of, pertaining to, or being a geologic era having a (specified) type of life. pic.twitter.com/q1fbNwXZoo

— 流那 (@666scandinavia) September 26, 2020

Seeing #BigJohn in #Trieste was inspiring @ so many levels: awe for the animal, its life, #Zoic impressive techniques, our fragile habitat. Now it’s sold. Dear buyer, please give humanity a chance to view it & reflect https://t.co/HvBqGkDVGQ pic.twitter.com/H2ZwMTq2D9

— Debora Gasperini (@GasperiniLab) October 22, 2021

Try using zoic!

True or False?

Zoic can be used to describe something that resembles an animal.