noun
GeologyA stage in the British Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous, above the Portlandian and below the Wealden, represented by prominent strata at Purbeck.
adjective
GeologyOf, relating to, or designating the Purbeckian stage.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in James Dana (1813–1895), geologist, zoologist, and teacher. From the name of Purbeck + -ian, after French purbéckien.
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