E·ra n.; pl. Eras
  1. A fixed point of time, usually an epoch, from which a series of years is reckoned.
     The foundation of Solomon's temple is conjectured by Ideler to have been an era.   --R. S. Poole.
  2. A period of time reckoned from some particular date or epoch; a succession of years dating from some important event; as, the era of Alexander; the era of Christ, or the Christian era (see under Christian).
     The first century of our era.   --M. Arnold.
  3. A period of time in which a new order of things prevails; a signal stage of history; an epoch.
     Painting may truly be said to have opened the new era of culture.   --J. A. Symonds.
  Syn: -- Epoch; time; date; period; age; dispensation. See Epoch.
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