refugium
noun
re·fu·gi·um
ri-ˈfyü-jē-əm 
plural refugia
ri-ˈfyü-jē-ə
: an area of relatively unaltered climate that is inhabited by plants and animals during a period of continental climatic change (such as a glaciation) and remains as a center of relict forms from which a new dispersion and speciation may take place after climatic readjustment
Examples of refugium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The findings in this paper are broadly consistent with the idea that Spain was a refugium, and so one of the sources of the population of Northern Europe.
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Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2010
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2010
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refugium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Latin, refuge
First Known Use
1943, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near refugium
Cite this Entry
“Refugium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refugium. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on refugium
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about refugium
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