quaternary
[kwə'tə:nəri]
a. 组, 元, 价,

[] 制, 元

[] 元; 价; ; 连碳;

[医] 元, 价,



quaternary
[ noun ]

1. last 2 million years

<noun.time>

2. the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

<noun.quantity>

[ adj ]

1. consisting of or especially arranged in sets of four

<adj.all>
quaternate leaves
a quaternary compound

2. coming next after the third and just before the fifth in position or time or degree or magnitude

<adj.all>
the quaternary period of geologic time extends from the end of the tertiary period to the present

Quaternary \Qua*ter"na*ry\, a. [L. quaternarius consisting of
four each, containing four, fr. quaterni four each, fr.
quattuor four: cf. F. quaternaire. See {Four}.]
1. Consisting of four; by fours, or in sets of four.

2. (Geol.) Later than, or subsequent to, the Tertiary;
Post-tertiary; as, the Quaternary age, or Age of man.


Quaternary \Qua*ter"na*ry\, n. [L. numerus quaternarius: cf. F.
quaternaire.]
1. The number four. --Boyle.

2. (Geol.) The Quaternary age, era, or formation. See the
Chart of {Geology}.