epeirogeny

or ep·i·rog·e·ny

[ ep-ahy-roj-uh-nee ]
/ ˌɛp aɪˈrɒdʒ ə ni /

noun Geology.

vertical or tilting movement of the earth's crust, generally affecting broad areas of a continent.
Also e·pei·ro·gen·e·sis [ih-pahy-roh-jen-uh-sis] /ɪˌpaɪ roʊˈdʒɛn ə sɪs/.

Origin of epeirogeny

1885–90; < Greek ḗpeiro(s) mainland, continent + -geny

OTHER WORDS FROM epeirogeny

e·pei·ro·gen·ic, e·pi·ro·gen·ic [ih-pahy-roh-jen-ik] /ɪˌpaɪ roʊˈdʒɛn ɪk/, adjective e·pei·ro·ge·net·ic, e·pi·ro·ge·net·ic [ih-pahy-roh-juh-net-ik] /ɪˌpaɪ roʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk/ adjective

Words nearby epeirogeny

epaulette, epaulette tree, epaxial, epazote, epeiric, epeirogeny, epeisodion, epencephalon, ependyma, ependymal cell, ependymitis

British Dictionary definitions for epeirogeny

epeirogeny

epeirogenesis (ɪˌpaɪrəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs)

/ (ˌɛpaɪˈrɒdʒɪnɪ) /

noun

the formation and submergence of continents by broad relatively slow displacements of the earth's crust Also called: epirogeny

Derived forms of epeirogeny

epeirogenic (ɪˌpaɪrəʊˈdʒɛnɪk) or epeirogenetic (ɪˌpaɪrəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for epeirogeny

C19: from Greek ēpeiros continent + -geny

Scientific definitions for epeirogeny

epeirogeny
[ ĕp′ī-rŏj′ə-nē ]

Uplift or depression of the Earth's crust, affecting large areas of land or ocean bottom. Basins and plateaus are often formed as the result of epeirogeny. Epeirogeny differs from orogeny in that it affects larger regions of the Earth's crust and is not as frequently associated with folding and faulting of rocks.