1. The earlier of two ages in the Palaeocene epoch, preceded by the Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous), followed by the Selandian, and dated at 65.5–61.7 Ma ago (Int. Commission on Stratigraphy, 2004).

2. The name of the corresponding European stage which, in Denmark, is characterized by chalky limestone rich in reef-dwelling organisms. It is roughly contemporaneous with the Montian (Belgium), Danian (see (3) below) and lower Ynezian (N. America), lower Teurian (New Zealand), and Wangerripian (Australia). In the past, because of its chalk facies, some authors considered the Danian to be Upper Cretaceous, and succeeded in the Lower Tertiary by the Montian.

3. The basal stage in the Lower Tertiary of the west coast of N. America, overlain by the Ynezian and roughly contemporaneous with just the lower part of the Danian stage in Europe.