/pay'lee euh zoh"ik/ or, esp. Brit., /pal'ee-/ , Geol.
adj.
1. noting or pertaining to an era occurring between 570 million and 230 million years ago, characterized by the advent of fish, insects, and reptiles. See table under geologic time .
n.
2. the Paleozoic Era or group of systems.
[ 1830-40; PALEO- + -zoic zoïkós pertaining to animals; see ZO-, -IC ]