Si|lu|ri|an

Si|lu|ri|an «suh LUR ee uhn, sy-», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. the third geological period of the Paleozoic era, after the Ordovician and before the Devonian, characterized by the development of early land invertebrate animals and land plants. The Silurian formerly included what is now Ordovician and what is now Silurian. »

In Europe…the close of the Silurian witnessed the rise of the majestic Caledonian Mountains, which ranged northeastward across the British Isles and Scandinavia (Carl O. Dunbar).

2. the rocks formed during this period.

–adj.

1. of or having to do with this period or its rocks: »

The total vegetation of the earth by the end of the Silurian period…appears to have been mostly algae floating in water and growing on wet soil (Fred W. Emerson).

2. of or belonging to the ancient Silures, or to the district inhabited by them.

╂[< Silures + -ian (because such rock deposits were found on the site where the Silures formerly lived)]