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Carboniferous

Pronunciation: /ˌkɑːbəˈnɪf(ə)rəs/

Definition of Carboniferous

adjective

Geology

relating to or denoting the fifth period of the Palaeozoic era, between the Devonian and Permian periods.
[as noun] (the Carboniferous) the Carboniferous period or the system of rocks deposited during it.

The Carboniferous lasted from about 363 to 290 million years ago. During this time the first reptiles and seed-bearing plants appeared, and there were extensive coral reefs and coal-forming swamp forests