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Aeon: meaning, definitions and examples

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aeon

 

[ ˈiːən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

time period

An aeon refers to a long and indefinite period of time, often used in geological or philosophical contexts to denote epochs that can span billions of years. In Earth's history, an aeon is the largest subdivision of geologic time, encompassing multiple eras. In cosmology, it may describe the span of time since the beginning of the universe. The concept of an aeon can also imply a sense of eternity or an unmeasurable duration, making it a profound term in various disciplines.

Synonyms

age, eon, epoch, era, millennium.

Examples of usage

  • The aeon of dinosaurs lasted for millions of years.
  • Philosophers often debate the nature of time on an aeon scale.
  • Geologists divide Earth's history into four major aeons.

Translations

Translations of the word "aeon" in other languages:

🇵🇹 éon

🇮🇳 युग

🇩🇪 Äon

🇮🇩 aeon

🇺🇦 ейон

🇵🇱 eon

🇯🇵 エオン

🇫🇷 éon

🇪🇸 eón

🇹🇷 eon

🇰🇷 에온

🇸🇦 عصر

🇨🇿 eon

🇸🇰 eon

🇨🇳 纪元

🇸🇮 eon

🇮🇸 eon

🇰🇿 эон

🇬🇪 ეონი

🇦🇿 eon

🇲🇽 eón

Etymology

The word 'aeon' originates from the ancient Greek word 'αιών' (aion), which means 'eternity', 'age', or 'lifetime'. This term was used in various philosophical and metaphysical contexts to signify a long, indefinite period, often tied to notions of time that extend beyond human comprehension. In geology, the term was adopted to denote vast spans of time in the Earth's history, typically broken down into smaller units like eras and periods. The adoption of 'aeon' into scientific terminology reflects the necessity of addressing human perception of time in relation to the extensive timeframe of Earth's geological processes and the universe's evolution. This usage has seen an expansion over centuries, evolving from philosophical contemplations to fundamental geological concepts.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,005, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.