Qua*ter"na*ry (?), a. [L. quaternarius consisting of four each, containing four, fr. quaterni four each, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quaternaire. See Four.]
1.
Consisting of four; by fours, or in sets of four.
2. Geol.
Later than, or subsequent to, the Tertiary; Post-tertiary; as, the Quaternary age, or Age of man.
© Webster 1913.
Qua*ter"na*ry, n. [L. numerus quaternarius: cf. F. quaternaire.]
1.
The number four.
Boyle.
2. Geol.
The Quaternary age, era, or formation. See the Chart of Geology.
© Webster 1913.