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carboniferous (adj.)
1799, "coal-bearing, containing or yielding carbon or coal," from Latin carbo (genitive carbonis) "coal" (see carbon) + -ferous "producing, containing, bearing," from ferre "to bear" (from PIE root *bher- (1) "to carry," also "to bear children").
Used in designating the rocks which formed the great coal-beds of England, France, Germany and the United States; from 1832 with reference to the geological period when these were laid down. As a stand-alone noun (short for Carboniferous Period) by 1907.
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Definitions of carboniferous
Dictionary entries near carboniferous
carbonate
carbonated
carbonation
carbon-copy
carbonic
carboniferous
carbonization
Carborundum
carboy
carbs
carbuncle