Carboniferous

== English == === Etymology === From carboniferous (“producing carbon”), from carbon +‎ -i- +‎ -ferous. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˌkɑːbəˈnɪfəɹəs/ Homophone: carboniferous Rhymes: -ɪfəɹəs === Adjective === Carboniferous (not comparable) (geology) Of a geologic period within the Paleozoic era; comprises the lower, middle and upper Mississippian and lower, middle and upper Pennsylvanian epochs from about 345 to 280 million years ago, when coal was laid down. ==== Translations ==== === Proper noun === the Carboniferous (geology) The Carboniferous period. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === See also === Appendix:Geologic timescale