Definition: An epoch is a significant period in history or a person’s life marked by notable events, developments, or changes. In geology, it refers to a subdivision of geological time, smaller than a period and larger than an age.
Etymology & Origin: The term ‘epoch’ comes from the Greek word ‘epochē,’ meaning ‘pause’ or ‘fixed point in time.’ It entered the English language in the early 17th century, initially used to denote a starting point of an era or a significant period marked by distinctive events.
Examples:
- The Renaissance is considered an epoch of great cultural and artistic achievement in Europe.
- The Holocene epoch began approximately 11,700 years ago and continues to the present day.
- The invention of the internet marked a new epoch in human communication and information sharing.
