How Do You Spell NEOZOIC?

Pronunciation: [nˈiːə͡ʊzˌə͡ʊɪk] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the word "Neozoic" is [ni-zoh-ik], with the emphasis on the second syllable. This word is commonly used to refer to a geological era, which began around 252 million years ago and ended around 66 million years ago. "Neozoic" comes from the Greek words "neo," meaning new, and "zoic," meaning related to animal life. This era is known for its diverse and abundant animal life, including the emergence of modern mammals and birds.

NEOZOIC Meaning and Definition

1. Neozoic is an adjective that refers to a geological era characterized by the appearance and dominance of modern animal and plant species, including mammals, birds, and flowering plants. The term is derived from the Greek words "neo," meaning new, and "zoikos," meaning animal life. It is often used interchangeably with the term Cenozoic, which is more commonly used in scientific literature.

   The Neozoic era, also known as the Age of Mammals, began approximately 66 million years ago after the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs and marked the end of the Mesozoic era. This geological epoch continues to the present day.

   During the Neozoic era, there was a remarkable diversification of mammals, leading to the emergence of various lineages and the evolution of numerous adaptive forms. The rise and expansion of mammals into various ecological niches occurred alongside the development and spread of flowering plants, which played a significant role in shaping modern terrestrial ecosystems.

   Key milestones of the Neozoic era include the emergence and radiation of primates, leading to the evolution of humans; the formation of modern continents and mountain ranges; the evolution of modern birds and the rise of avian diversity; and the establishment of modern climate patterns. The Neozoic era encompasses a substantial portion of Earth's history and has had a profound impact on the evolution and diversity of life on our planet.

2. A term used to designate one of the two great epochs of geological time, which embraces the portions of the earth's crust from the Trias up to the existing order of things.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for NEOZOIC

• mneozoic
• Nuozoic

Etymology of NEOZOIC

The term "Neozoic" is not a recognized word in the field of etymology or scientific classification. It appears to be a combination of two terms: "Neo-" and "-zoic".

1. "Neo-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "neos", which means new or recent. It is commonly used in various scientific and technical contexts to indicate something new, modern, or recent.

2. "-zoic" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "zōikos", meaning pertaining to life or living things. It is also used in scientific classification to describe a geological era or time period marked by the dominance of certain life forms.

When combined, "Neozoic" can be interpreted as meaning "pertaining to a new or recent era or period of life".