refugium
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.


re·fu·gi·um

noun \ri-ˈfyü-jē-əm\
plural -gia \-jē-ə\

Definition of REFUGIUM

: an area of relatively unaltered climate that is inhabited by plants and animals during a period of continental climatic change (as a glaciation) and remains as a center of relict forms from which a new dispersion and speciation may take place after climatic readjustment

Origin of REFUGIUM

New Latin, from Latin, refuge
First Known Use: 1943

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: refulgence
Previous Word in the Dictionary: refugee
All Words Near: refugium

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up refugium? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Name That Thing

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Get Our Free Apps
Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More
Join Us on FB & Twitter
Get the Word of the Day and More