proper noun / adjective
cretaceous
kri-TAY-shuhs/krɪˈteɪʃəs/
The geologic period ending about 66 million years ago with the extinction of nonavian dinosaurs.
The scene shows dinosaurs living in the Late Cretaceous.
Etymology
Originally meaning “chalk-like,” Cretaceous names the geological period after extensive chalk beds in southeastern England formed during it. The name points to those deposits rather than to its dinosaurs.
In context
moving forward in time the Cretaceous period saw the rise of the largest sea turtles to ever exist
More examples
- The museum displayed Cretaceous fossils.
- The Cretaceous ended with a major extinction event.
- Researchers compared early and late Cretaceous ecosystems.
Forms
cretaceous
Similar words
- Jurassic
- The Jurassic preceded the Cretaceous within the Mesozoic Era.
- Paleogene
- The Paleogene followed the Cretaceous after the end-Cretaceous extinction.