Holocene
|ho-lo-cene|
🇺🇸
/ˈhoʊləˌsiːn/
🇬🇧
/ˈhɒləsiːn/
entirely new / wholly recent (recent geological epoch)
Etymology
'Holocene' originates from New Latin and modern scientific usage, specifically influenced by French 'holocène', ultimately from Greek elements 'holos' meaning 'whole' and 'kainos' meaning 'new'.
'Holocene' was formed in the 19th century from Greek roots 'holos' + 'kainos', adapted into New Latin/French as 'Holocenus'/'holocène', and then adopted into English as 'Holocene'.
Initially formed from the notion of 'entirely new' or 'wholly recent', it became the formal name for the geological epoch covering roughly the last 11,700 years and is now used in scientific contexts to denote that epoch.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the current geological epoch, beginning approximately 11,700 years ago after the end of the last major ice age; the time period that includes the rise of human civilizations and modern climates.
The Holocene has seen significant human-driven changes to many ecosystems.
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Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of the Holocene epoch.
Holocene sediments were deposited in the lake basin.
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Last updated: 2026/01/04 16:40