Jurassic

[ joo-ras-ik ]
/ dʒʊˈræs ɪk /
Geology

adjective

noting or pertaining to a period of the Mesozoic Epoch, occurring from 190 to 140 million years ago and characterized by an abundance of dinosaurs and the advent of birds and mammals.

noun

the Jurassic Period or System.

Origin of Jurassic

1825–35; Jur(a) + -assic, suffix extracted from Triassic; compare French jurassique

OTHER WORDS FROM Jurassic

post-Ju·ras·sic, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for jurassic

British Dictionary definitions for jurassic

Jurassic
/ (dʒʊˈræsɪk) /

adjective

of, denoting, or formed in the second period of the Mesozoic era, between the Triassic and Cretaceous periods, lasting for 55 million years during which dinosaurs and ammonites flourished

noun

the Jurassic the Jurassic period or rock system

Word Origin for Jurassic

C19: from French jurassique, after the Jura (Mountains)

Scientific definitions for jurassic

Jurassic
[ ju-răsĭk ]

The second and middle period of the Mesozoic Era, from about 208 to 144 million years ago. During this time the supercontinent Pangaea continued to split up and numerous shallow seas inundated the new continents. Dinosaurs were the dominant form of terrestrial animal life, and the earliest birds appeared. Marine life was dominated by ammonites and belemnites, and sponges, corals, bryozoa, and gastropods all flourished. Gymnosperms and cycads were the dominant land plants. See Chart at geologic time.