triassic

[Eng. tri as; -ic.] Pertaining to, found in, or characteristic of the Trias. [TRIASSIC SYSTEM.] Tria ic-period, s . Geol.: The period during which the rocks of the Tria ic system were being deposited. Tria ic-system, s . Geol.: The lowest great division of the Mesozoic rocks. The name Trias came from Germany, and was designed to imply that in the south-west and north-west portions of that country, where these rocks are more fully developed than they are either in England or France, they are naturally divided into three series of beds: the Keuper sandstone above, the Muschelkalk (a marine limestone) in the middle, and the Bunter sandstone below. Beds believed to be of Tria ic age exist in India [BRACHYOPS], in South Africa, at Richmond in Virginia, . The sandstones of the Upper Trias constitute good building stones, those of the Lower Trias are inferior in quality. tri-at-ic, a. [Etym. doubtful.] (See compound.) triatic-stay, s. Naut .: A rope connected at its end to the heads of fore and main mast, and having a thimble spliced to its bight for the attachment of the stay tackle, by which boats, heavy freight, and speck are hoisted aboard.