cretácico

Cretaceous

noun adjective kreh-TAH-see-koh Rare

Origin: From Latin creta (chalk) + -áceo, because Cretaceous strata are rich in chalk and limestone.

Usage Note

Cretácico refers to the Cretaceous period (approximately 145–66 million years ago), the final period of the Mesozoic Era, ending with the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. Both cretácico and cretáceo are accepted; cretácico is more common in scientific Spanish. As a noun it takes the masculine article: el Cretácico. The related adjective cretáceo also means 'chalky'.

Examples

"Los dinosaurios se extinguieron al final del Cretácico."

Natural Translation

The dinosaurs became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous.

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