aptian
|ap-ti-an|
/ˈæp.ti.ən/
named after Apt (town); Early Cretaceous stage
Etymology
'aptian' originates from French, specifically the word 'Aptien', where 'Apt' referred to the town 'Apt' in Provence, France, and the suffix '-ien' served as an adjectival marker meaning 'of or from'.
'aptian' changed from the French word 'Aptien' and was adopted into English geological terminology in the 19th century to name the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous.
Initially, it meant 'of or from Apt (the town)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the geological stage (part of the Early Cretaceous) named after that place'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a stage of the Early Cretaceous Epoch (the Aptian), approximately 125–113 million years ago; named after the town of Apt in Provence, France.
aptian strata contain numerous ammonite fossils.
Adjective 1
relating to the Aptian age or to deposits, fossils, or features formed during that time.
aptian deposits are rich in certain microfossils.
Last updated: 2025/09/29 00:44