Home North American English Maastrichtian

Definition of Maastrichtian in US English:

Maastrichtian

(also Maestrichtian)

adjective

Geology

  • Of, relating to, or designating a division of the Upper Cretaceous in Europe that is now regarded as the most recent stage of the Cretaceous, lying next below the Danian of the Tertiary.

noun

Geology

  • The Maastrichtian stage or age. Usually with the.

Origin

Late 19th century; earliest use found in Archibald Geikie (1835–1924), geologist and historian. From French maestrichtien from Maestricht (now Maastricht, whence the 20th-cent. respelling) + -ien.

Pronunciation

Maastrichtian

/mɑːˈstrɪktɪən/