Cambrian

[ kam-bree-uhn ]

adjective

1. Geology. noting or pertaining to a period of the Paleozoic Era, occurring from 570 million to 500 million years ago, when algae and marine invertebrates were the predominant form of life.
2. of or relating to Cambria; Welsh.

noun

1. Geology. the Cambrian Period or System.
2. a native of Cambria; Welshman.

Cambrian

/ ˈkæmbrɪən /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the first 65 million years of the Palaeozoic era, during which marine invertebrates, esp trilobites, flourished
2. of or relating to Wales

noun

1. the Cambrian
   the Cambrian period or rock system
2. a Welsh person

Cambrian

/ kăm′brē-ən,kām′- /

1. The first period of the Paleozoic Era, from about 540 to 505 million years ago. During this time warm seas and desert land areas were widespread, and animal life diversified rapidly during what is known as the Cambrian Explosion .
2. See Chart at geologic time

Other Words From

• post-Cambri·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cambrian¹

1580–90; < Medieval Latin Cambri ( a ) Wales, Latinization of MWelsh Cymry Wales, literally Welshmen ( Cymry ) + -an

Example Sentences

In particular, the researchers looked at four ancient penis worm specimens that lived in cast-offs from hyoliths, a Cambrian creature with conical shells.

From Popular-Science

Now, Smith and his colleagues say that they have unearthed fossils of hermiting creatures almost three times that age, from a geologic period dubbed the Cambrian.

From Science News

These so-called “hard parts” first appear in rocks deposited during the Cambrian explosion, slightly less than 540 million years ago.

From Singularity Hub 

These might have included the meter-long Anomalocaris canadensis, the only Cambrian radiodont known to surpass Titanokorys in size.

From Popular-Science

There’s energy and innovation reinvigorating the sector and bringing about a Cambrian explosion of bizarre designs for special purposes, like AI.

From Singularity Hub 

Then in the Cambrian era, around 570 million years ago, recognizably complex animal life evolved, including vertebrate ancestors.

From The Daily Beast

The Mid-Wales like the Cambrian, had had a chequered early career.

From Project Gutenberg

But of the Cambrian as we know it to-day there will be something more to be said presently.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is not only in length that the Cambrian has developed in recent years.

From Project Gutenberg

But the Cambrian had stout friends to put in the witness-box.

From Project Gutenberg

It was leased to the Cambrian, but got into Chancery and was closed a few years later.

From Project Gutenberg