Phanerozoic
Pronunciation: /ˌfan(ə)rə(ʊ)ˈzəʊɪk/
Definition of Phanerozoic
adjective
Geology- relating to or denoting the aeon covering the whole of time since the beginning of the Cambrian period, and comprising the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras. Compare with Cryptozoic.
The Phanerozoic began about 570 million years ago, and covers the period in which rocks contain evidence of abundant life in the form of obvious mineralized fossils
Origin:
late 19th century: from Greek phaneros 'visible, evident' + zōion 'animal' + -ic