pregeologicaladj.
/ˌpriːdʒiːəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/, U.S. /ˌpridʒiəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/ Geology.
Designating, relating to, or occurring in the time before that studied by geology, or earlier than the time of formation of the oldest known rocks (now reckoned as about 4000 million years ago).
ΚΠ
1861 T. H. Huxley in Notices Proc. Royal Inst. Great Brit. 3 151 That vast series of Ages..which may be called ‘geological time’, (to distinguish it from the ‘historical time’ which followed, and the ‘pre-geological time’, which preceded it).
1899 Geogr. Jrnl. 13 233 A map of the world in early Cambrian times might show the influence of these pre-geological incidents.
1930 Sci. Monthly May 452/1 Whatever our guess as to the pregeological stages of earth history, we have a tangible record of later events in the rocks.
1971 I. G. Gass et al. Understanding Earth ix. 137/2 The event which caused the loss of the primary atmosphere must have occurred fairly early in the history of the planet, presumably in pre-geological time.
Derivatives
ˌpregeoˈlogically adv. rare during the pregeological period.
ΚΠ
1899 Geogr. Jrnl. 13 234 If the ocean basins were not formed pre-geologically, but have grown from the changes that have occurred during the long ages of geological time, then we must seek for a cause that has acted continuously, and is acting to-day.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1861