epoch-making

See also: epochmaking

English

Alternative forms

• epochmaking

Etymology

Calque of German epochemachend.

Adjective

epoch-making (not comparable)

1. Constituting an epoch; opening a new era; introducing new conceptions or a new method in the treatment of a subject; highly novel and influential.
   • 1961 December, “Editorial: Führerprinzip for nationalised transport”, in Trains Illustrated, page 705:

     Equally to be expected, in view of the trend of Government legislation and pronouncements over the past few years—but no less epoch-making for that—is the proposal that the railways and canals shall cease to be common carriers and be entirely free to fix their own passenger and freight charges, [...].

   • 2001 September 14, Matthew Tempest, quoting Tony Blair, “Blair: attacks are of 'epoch-making proportions'”, in The Guardian‎:

     The prime minister, Tony Blair, described the terrorist attacks on America as having "epoch-making proportions" as parliament was recalled for an emergency session today.

Synonyms

• earthshaking
• earthshattering

Translations

constituting an epoch

German: epochemachend Japanese: 画期的 (ja) (kakkiteki)

Further reading

• William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “epoch-making”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.
• “epoch-making”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.