| 释义 |
Pleistocene, a. (n.) Geol.|ˈplaɪstəsiːn|
[f. Gr. πλεῖστος most (superl. of πολύς much) + καινός new, recent.]
Epithet applied at first to the newest division of the Pliocene or Upper Tertiary formation (as containing the greatest number of fossils of still existing species), also called Newer Pliocene; afterwards to the older division of the Post-tertiary or Quaternary, also called Post-Pliocene. Also applied to the animals, etc., of either of these periods. Also ellipt. as n. = pleistocene division or formation.
1839Lyell in Mag. Nat. Hist. New Ser. III. 323 In the Appendix to the French translation of my ‘Elements of Geology’, I have proposed, for the sake of brevity, to substitute the term Pleiocene for Older Pleiocene, and Pleistocene for Newer Pleiocene. 1854Brewster More Worlds iii. 46 The superficial deposits, or Pleistocene group, viz. all diluvial and alluvial deposits of gravel and other materials. 1861Geikie E. Forbes ix. 256 He states..that even the pleistocene, which is a subdivision of the pliocene, needs to be partitioned into a newer and older series. 1873J. Geikie Gt. Ice Age xxx. 423 The pleistocene hippopotamus. 1874Lyell Elem. Geol. x. 123 In former editions of this work I divided the Post-tertiary deposits into Recent and Post-pliocene, but this latter term has many inconveniences... I have, therefore, determined for the future to adopt the name of ‘Pleistocene’, proposed by me in 1839 as a synonym for Newer Pliocene, but which, having been used by the late Edward Forbes as the equivalent of Post-pliocene, has now passed into general use with that signification. |