Absolute Time: One of the two types of geologic time (relative time being the other), with a definite age date established mostly by the decay of radioactive elements, although ages may also be obtained by counting tree rings, decay of a specific type of atom, or annual sedimentary layers (such as varves in lakes or layers in a glacier). The term is in some disfavor because it suggests an exactness that may not be possible to obtain.

 

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Absolute Time: One of the two types of geologic time (relative time being the other), with a definite age date established mostly by the decay of radioactive elements, although ages may also be obtained by . . . View Full Definition

Radiometric Time: Type of absolute time determined by the relative porportions of radioisotopes to stable daughter isotopes.

Relative Time: Type of geologic time (absolute time being the other) that places events in a sequence relative to each other.

Screen Time: The duration of a program--which is normally shorter than the time represented in the program's narrative (that is, its story time). E.g., the story time of one soap opera episode is typical . . . View Full Definition