Pronunciation: [ˌe͡ɪˈiː] (IPA) 
The word "AE" is a combination of two letters "A" and "E" which can be pronounced as "a" or "e" depending on the context. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /eɪ/ or /æ/ respectively. The spelling of this word originates from Latin and is commonly used in scientific, technical, and academic writings. However, due to its unusual spelling, it can often lead to confusion in pronunciation and is not used in everyday language.
AE, also written as "a.e.", is an abbreviation that stands for "anterior to the era." It is commonly used in the field of paleontology and geology to describe a time frame that occurs before the geological era recognized as the Holocene. The Holocene is the current and most recent geological era, characterized by the presence of human activity.
The term AE is often utilized to refer to events or fossils that are known to have existed prior to the time when humans began to significantly impact the Earth's ecosystems. It is especially relevant when discussing the Earth's geological history, often involving the study of fossils, sedimentary layers, and other geological features.
The use of AE is crucial in paleontological and geological research since it allows scientists to distinguish between different time periods and understand the temporal context in which certain events took place. By establishing a clear chronological framework, scientists can better understand the relationships between geological phenomena and provide more accurate interpretations of Earth's past.
Moreover, AE is often utilized in conjunction with other geological time markers such as BP (before present) or Ma (million years ago) to further refine the temporal scale and provide a more precise understanding of events in Earth's history.
In summary, AE is an abbreviation that refers to a time period occurring prior to the Holocene era and is employed to delineate the geological context of events, fossils, and other geological phenomena.
For words so beginning not found here, see under e.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Many words formerly beginning with oe are now spelt with e. When the word in oe is not found, turn to e.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
