Hercynian

 
Pronunciation: /həːˈsɪnɪən/

adjective

Geology
  • relating to or denoting a prolonged mountain-forming period (orogeny) in western Europe, eastern North America, and the Andes in the Upper Palaeozoic era, especially the Carboniferous and Permian periods.
  • (as noun the Hercynian) the Hercynian orogeny.

Origin:

late 16th century: from Latin Hercynia silva; the ancient name of an area of forested mountains in central Germany; later (from the late 19th century) applied in geology to the Harz Mountains formed in the Hercynian period