French word

carbonifère

Pronunciation

IPA/kaʁbɔnifɛʁ/

Meaning

  • adjectivecoal-bearing

Example

Des couches carbonifères ont été découvertes sur le site.

Coal-bearing layers were discovered at the site.

Illustration for carbonifère (coal-bearing)

More examples

On a découvert un petit gisement carbonifère en creusant le jardin.

A small coal-bearing deposit was discovered while we were digging in the garden.

Core concept

A coal-bearing stratum linked to the ancient Carboniferous period.

Definition in French

Relatif au Carbonifère ou qualifiant des terrains et des couches riches en charbon.

Word origin

French carbonifère is formed from carbon, related to Latin carbo 'coal', and the suffix -ifère from Latin ferre 'to bear'.

Usage tips

  • In period names, le Carbonifère is capitalized, while the related adjective is normally lowercase: une roche carbonifère.

Other meanings

  • Carboniferousadjective

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