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quaternary

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

quaternary

Main Entry:: ¹qua·ter·na·ry
Pronunciation:: \ˈkwä-tə(r)-ˌner-ē, kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Latin quaternarius, from quaterni four each
Date:: 1605

1 a: of, relating to, or consisting of four units or members b: of, relating to, or being a number system with a base of four2capitalized : of, relating to, or being the geological period from the end of the Tertiary to the present time or the corresponding system of rocks — see geologic time table3: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms

Learn more about "quaternary" and related topics at Britannica.com

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