The Definition of Abbevillian

Abbe·vill·i·an /æbˌvɪliən, -ˈvɪlyən, ˌæbəˈvɪl-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ab-vil-ee-uhn, -vil-yuhn, ab-uh-vil-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective of, pertaining to, or typical of an early Lower Paleolithic industry of the middle Pleistocene Epoch in Europe, characterized by the manufacture of large flakes and hand axes; Chellean.

Also, Abbe·vill·e·an.


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[Origin: < F abbevillien (1932); see abbeville, -ian]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source Ab·be·vil·li·an (āb'ə-vĭl'ē-ən) Pronunciation Key
adj. Of or relating to the earliest Paleolithic archaeological sites in Europe, characterized by bifacial stone hand axes.


[After Abbeville, a city of northern France.]


(Download Now or Buy the Book) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source Abbevillian (āb'ə-vĭl'ē-ən) Pronunciation Key
Relating to the earliest Paleolithic archaeological sites in Europe, characterized by bifacial stone hand axes.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.