quaternary
[ kwot-er-ner-ee, kwuh-tur-nuh-ree ]
/ ˈkwɒt ərˌnɛr i, kwəˈtɜr nə ri /
adjective
consisting of four.
arranged in fours.
(initial capital letter) Geology.
noting or pertaining to the present period of earth history, forming the latter part of the Cenozoic Era, originating about 2 million years ago and including the Recent and Pleistocene Epochs.
Metallurgy.
(of an alloy) having four principal constituents.
noun, plural quat·er·nar·ies.
Origin of quaternary
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin
quaternārius consisting of four, equivalent to
quatern(ī) four at a time +
-ārius
-ary
Words nearby quaternary
Example sentences from the Web for quaternary
British Dictionary definitions for quaternary (1 of 2)
quaternary
/ (kwəˈtɜːnərɪ) /
adjective
consisting of fours or by fours
fourth in a series
chem
containing or being an atom bound to four other atoms or groups
a quaternary ammonium compound
maths
having four variables
noun plural -naries
the number four or a set of four
Word Origin for quaternary
C15: from Latin
quaternārius each containing four, from
quaternī by fours, distributive of
quattuor four
British Dictionary definitions for quaternary (2 of 2)
Quaternary
/ (kwəˈtɜːnərɪ) /
adjective
of, denoting, or formed in the most recent period of geological time, which succeeded the Tertiary period nearly two million years ago
noun
the Quaternary
the Quaternary period or rock system, divided into Pleistocene and Holocene (Recent) epochs or series
Medical definitions for quaternary
quaternary
[ kwŏt′ər-nĕr′ē, kwə-tûr′nə-rē ]
adj.
Consisting of four; in fours.
Relating to an atom bonded to four carbon atoms.
n.
The member of a group or series that is fourth in order.
Scientific definitions for quaternary
quaternary
[ kwŏt′ər-nĕr′ē ]
Noun
Quaternary. The second and last period of the Cenozoic Era, from about 2 million years ago to the present. During this time the continents were situated approximately as they are today, although the geography was different due to fluctuations in sea levels caused by the advance and retreat of ice sheets. Humans first appeared during this period. See Chart at geologic time.
Adjective
Relating to or having a carbon atom that is attached to four other carbon atoms in a molecule. Quaternary pentane, for example, contains five carbon atoms of which one is in the center and the other four are each attached to it.