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Definition of ordovician

ordovician

/ˌɔːrdəˈvɪʃən/
Or · do · vi · cian
Adjective:Ordovician
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ordovician Lexical Profile

ordovician Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to or denoting the second period of the Paleozoic era, spanning between the Cambrian and Silurian periods, known for diverse marine invertebrates and early vertebrates.

Example

"The geological team mapped an extensive layer of Ordovician limestone while surveying the Welsh highlands."

• noun

1

The second geological period of the Paleozoic era, occurring approximately 485 to 443 million years ago, or the system of rocks deposited during this time.

Example

"Marine life proliferated greatly during the Ordovician before a severe ice age caused a mass extinction event."

• Rhymes for ordovician

• Nearby Words

ordinary
ordination
ordnance
ordovician
ore
oregano
oreti

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1879 by the English geologist Charles Lapworth. He named the geological period after the Ordovices, an ancient Celtic tribe of North Wales, because rocks of this period were primarily studied in that region.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ordovician. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ordovician
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