/ear"euh, er"euh/ , n.
1. a period of time marked by distinctive character, events, etc.: The use of steam for power marked the beginning of an era.
2. the period of time to which anything belongs or is to be assigned: She was born in the era of hansoms and gaslight.
3. a system of chronologic notation reckoned from a given date: The era of the Romans was based upon the time the city of Rome was founded.
4. a point of time from which succeeding years are numbered, as at the beginning of a system of chronology: Caesar died many years before our era.
5. a date or an event forming the beginning of any distinctive period: The year 1492 marks an era in world history.
6. Geol. a major division of geologic time composed of a number of periods. See table under geologic time .
[ 1605-15; aera fixed date, era, epoch (from which time is reckoned), prob. special use of L aera counters (pl. of aes piece of metal, money, brass); c. Goth aiz, OE ar ORE, Skt ayas metal ]
Syn. 1. See age .