Cre-tā'ceoŭs, a.

adjective

(-tā'shus), a. [Lat. cretaceus, from creta, chalk (properly Cretan earth, from Creta, the island Crete), It. creta, Sp. creta, greda, Fr. craie; Ger. kreide, O. H. Ger. crida, from Lat. creta. Cf. CRAYON.] Having the qualities of chalk; abounding with chalk; as, cretaceous rocks and formations. See CHALK.