Gondwana

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ɡɒndˈwɑː.nə/ (British English), /ɡɑːndˈwɑː.nə/ (American English)

Definitions

1. A supercontinent that existed from the Neoproterozoic to the Jurassic period, including what are now South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent.

2. A region in central India historically inhabited by the Gondi people.

Usage Examples

1. "Gondwana began to break apart during the Jurassic period, leading to the formation of modern continents."

2. "The Gondwana region in India is home to rich cultural and ecological diversity."

Etymology

Derived from the Sanskrit words *Gond* (a tribal group) and *vana* (forest), referring to the Gondi people's homeland in central India.

Synonyms

Ancient supercontinent, Gondwanaland.

Antonyms

Laurasia, present-day continents.

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

Hindi: /ɡɒn.dʌˈwɑː.nʌ/

Marathi: /ɡoːn.dʌˈwɑː.nʌ/

Telugu: /ɡon.ɖʋɑː.nʌ/

Historical Usage

The concept of Gondwana as a supercontinent was first proposed in the 19th century by Austrian geologist Eduard Suess.

Cultural Nuances

Gondwana is not only a geological term but also has cultural significance in India, referring to the historical land of the Gondi people.

More Information

Gondwana played a crucial role in the theory of plate tectonics, helping scientists understand the drift of continents over millions of years.