2 entries under this word

Quaternary

Qua-tër'na-ry, n.

noun

n. [Lat. quaternarius, consisting of four each, containing four, numerus quaternarius, the number four, from quaterni, four each, from quatuor, four; Fr. quaternaire, Pr. quaternari, Pg. & It. quaternario, Sp. cuaternario.] The number four. Boyle.

Qua-tĕr'na-ry, a.

adjective

a. 1. Consisting of four; by fours. 2. (Geol.) Older than, or previous to, the tertiary; —a term applied to strata supposed to be more ancient than the upper tertiary. Dana.