Coeval

Coeval refers to things or events that exist or occur at the same period of time. The term is often used in history, geology, and biology to describe contemporaneous phenomena.

Etymology

The word "coeval" is derived from the Latin word "coaevus," which means "of the same age." It combines "co-" meaning "together" and "aevum" meaning "age" or "lifetime."

Usage in Different Fields

History

In history, coeval events are those that happen simultaneously in different regions or cultures. For example, the Renaissance in Europe and the Ming Dynasty in China are considered coeval periods, as they occurred around the same time.

Geology

In geology, coeval refers to rock formations or geological events that occurred during the same time period. For instance, the Jurassic period saw the formation of various coeval rock layers across different continents.

Biology

In biology, coeval species are those that existed at the same time. For example, dinosaurs and early mammals were coeval during the Mesozoic era.

Examples

• The Industrial Revolution in Europe and the Meiji Restoration in Japan are coeval events that significantly impacted their respective societies.
• The Cretaceous and Paleogene periods are coeval in the sense that they are adjacent and mark significant transitions in Earth's history.

Related Concepts

• Contemporaneous
• Synchrony
• Simultaneity

See Also

• History
• Geology
• Biology
• Renaissance
• Jurassic
• Mesozoic