/kahr'beuh nif"euhr euhs/ , Geol.
adj.
1. noting or pertaining to a period of the Paleozoic Era, including the Pennsylvanian and Mississippian periods as epochs, occurring from 345 million to 280 million years ago. See table under geologic time .
2. ( l.c. ) producing carbon or coal.
n.
3. the Carboniferous Period or System.
[ 1790-1800; carbon- (s. of carbo ) coal + -I- + -FEROUS ]