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.
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.