Epoch: meaning, definitions and examples
⏳
epoch
[ ˈɛpək ]
time measurement
An epoch is a particular period of time in history or a person's life, typically one marked by notable events or particular characteristics.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The Victorian epoch in England was known for its industrial revolution.
- The discovery of fire marked a significant epoch in human history.
astronomy
In astronomy, an epoch is a moment in time used as a reference point for some time-varying astronomical quantity, such as the celestial coordinates or orbital elements of a celestial body.
Synonyms
reference point, time frame
Examples of usage
- The orbital elements of the planets are calculated with respect to a specific epoch.
geology
In geology, an epoch is a subdivision of the geologic timescale that is longer than an age and shorter than a period.
Synonyms
geologic epoch
Examples of usage
- The Pleistocene epoch is known for its ice ages.
Translations
Translations of the word "epoch" in other languages:
🇵🇹 época
🇮🇳 युग
🇩🇪 Epoche
🇮🇩 zaman
🇺🇦 епоха
🇵🇱 epoka
🇯🇵 時代
🇫🇷 époque
🇪🇸 época
🇹🇷 dönem
🇰🇷 시대
🇸🇦 عصر
🇨🇿 epocha
🇸🇰 epocha
🇨🇳 时代
🇸🇮 epoka
🇮🇸 tímabil
🇰🇿 дәуір
🇬🇪 ეპოქა
🇦🇿 dövr
🇲🇽 época
Word origin
The word 'epoch' originated from the Greek word 'epochē' meaning a fixed point in time or a pause. It entered the English language in the 17th century. Over time, 'epoch' has been used in various scientific fields such as astronomy, geology, and history to denote specific periods or reference points. The concept of epochs has been crucial in understanding the timeline of Earth's history and celestial events.