quaternary

Qua*ter"na*ry, a. Etym: [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.) Defn: Later than, or subsequent to, the Tertiary; Post-tertiary; as, the Quaternary age, or Age of man. Qua*ter"na*ry, n. Etym: [L. numerus quaternarius: cf. F. quaternaire.] 1. The number four. Boyle. 2. (Geol.) Defn: The Quaternary age, era, or formation. See the Chart of Geology.

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