Cretaceous
/krɪˈteɪ.ʃəs/noun
The geological period from about 145 to 66 million years ago, marked by the dominance of dinosaurs and the appearance of flowering plants.
Did you know?The name 'Cretaceous' comes from the Latin 'creta', meaning 'chalk', reflecting the vast deposits of chalky sediments formed during this era.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
creta
“Chalk, a soft white limestone used since ancient times.”
Late 18th Century
French
crétacé
“A term coined to describe the chalky deposits of the geological period.”
Early 19th Century
English
Cretaceous
“Adopted into English to designate the geological period associated with chalk formations.”
Modern English
English
Cretaceous
“The established term for the last period of the Mesozoic era, characterized by significant geological and biological changes.”