Definition

Proper noun * Age of Reptiles: A geological time period in Earth's history, specifically the Mesozoic Era, characterized by the dominance of reptiles, most notably the dinosaurs. It spans from approximately 252 to 66 million years ago.

Usage

• "Age of Reptiles" is used as a proper noun to refer to a specific, well-defined era in geological and paleontological contexts.
• It is often used in educational, scientific, and popular media discussions about prehistoric life.

Examples

• The Age of Reptiles ended with a mass extinction event, likely caused by an asteroid impact.
• Fossils from the Age of Reptiles provide crucial evidence for the theory of evolution.
• Many children are fascinated by learning about the creatures that lived during the Age of Reptiles.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe a period perceived as dominated by large, powerful, or archaic entities.
  • In the corporate Age of Reptiles, a few massive companies controlled the entire industry.

Variants and Related Words

• Mesozoic Era: The formal scientific name for the geological era encompassing the Age of Reptiles. It is subdivided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.
• Dinosauria: The clade of reptiles that were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates during much of this era.
• Cenozoic Era: The geological era following the Age of Reptiles, often called the "Age of Mammals."

Synonyms

• Mesozoic Era (scientific synonym)
• Dinosaur Era (common, less formal synonym)

Related Phrases

• The end of the Age of Reptiles: A phrase referring to the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
• Dominance of the reptiles: A descriptive phrase for the characteristic feature of the era.

Noun

1. from 230 million to 63 million years ago