carboniferous
|car-bon-i-fer-ous|
🇺🇸
/ˌkɑɹbəˈnɪfɚəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌkɑːbəˈnɪfərəs/
coal-bearing / relating to coal
Etymology
'carboniferous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'carbonifer' (from Latin 'carbo' + '-fer'), where 'carbo' meant 'coal' and the suffix '-fer'/'-ferous' (from Latin 'ferre') meant 'bearing' or 'to carry'.
'carboniferous' changed from the New Latin formation 'carbonifer' plus the English adjective-forming suffix '-ous' and entered English in the 19th century as 'carboniferous'.
Initially, it meant 'bearing or producing coal', but over time it also came to name the geological period now called 'the Carboniferous' and to mean 'relating to that period'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the Carboniferous — a geological period roughly 359 to 299 million years ago, noted for extensive coal formation.
The Carboniferous was a time when vast swamp forests contributed to major coal deposits.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
containing, yielding, or relating to coal; coal-bearing.
Many of the sedimentary layers in this region are carboniferous and have been mined for coal.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
relating to the Carboniferous period (geological).
Fossils found in these beds are carboniferous in age and indicate a swampy environment.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/30 21:33