An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The earliest Epoch of the Quaternary Period, beginning about 1.6 million years ago and ending 10,000 years ago. Commonly known as the “Ice Age,” a time with episodes of widespread continental glaciation.

See also: From Gk. pleisto(s), superlative of Polys “much,”
cognate with Pers. por, → full,

• -cene from Gk. kainos “new, recent.”