Definition of Aalenian
: of, relating to, or being a period of the Middle Jurassic lasting from approximately 176 million years ago until 172 million years ago This applies particularly to the thickest of the sandstones, the Bearreraig Sandstone of Aalenian to Bajocian age. — J. D. Hudson et al., Journal of the Geological Society, September 2011 — see geologic time table
Aalenian
noun Subsequently, during the Aalenian, the motile forms (still present in the water column) had become adapted to life in stressed salinities … — Alister James Powell and J. B. Riding, Recent Developments in Applied Biostratigraphy, 2005From the M-W Editors
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Origin and Etymology of aalenian
borrowed from French aalénien, from Aalen, town in Württemberg, Germany, the location of strata defining the period + -ien -ian
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