Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Evolution
Evˊo-lu′tion
(ĕvˊō̍-lū′shŭn)
, Noun.
1.
The act of unfolding or unrolling; hence, any process of growth or development;
as, the
. evolution
of a flower from a bud, or an animal from the egg2.
A series of things unrolled or unfolded.
“The whole evolution of ages.” Dr. H. More.
3.
(Geom.)
The formation of an involute by unwrapping a thread from a curve as an evolute.
Hutton.
4.
(Arith. & Alg.)
The extraction of roots; – the reverse of
involution
. 5.
(Mil. & Naval)
A prescribed movement of a body of troops, or a vessel or fleet; any movement designed to effect a new arrangement or disposition; a maneuver.
Those
evolutions
are best which can be executed with the greatest celerity, compatible with regularity. Campbell.
6.
(Biol.)
A general name for the history of the steps by which any living organism has acquired the morphological and physiological characters which distinguish it; a gradual unfolding of successive phases of growth or development.
7.
(Biol.)
That theory of generation which supposes the germ to preëxist in the parent, and its parts to be developed, but not actually formed, by the procreative act; – opposed to
epigenesis
. 8.
(Metaph.)
That series of changes under natural law which involves continuous progress from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous in structure, and from the single and simple to the diverse and manifold in quality or function. The process is by some limited to organic beings; by others it is applied to the inorganic and the psychical. It is also applied to explain the existence and growth of institutions, manners, language, civilization, and every product of human activity. The agencies and laws of the process are variously explained by different philosophrs.
Evolution
is to me series with development. Gladstone.
Webster 1828 Edition
Evolution
EVOLU'TION
,Noun.
1.
A series of things unrolled or unfolded; as the evolution of ages.2.
In geometry, the unfolding or opening of a curve,and making it describe an evolvent. The equable evolution of the periphery of a circle, or other curve, is such a gradual approach of the circumference to rectitude, as that its parts do all concur, and equally evolve or unbend; so that the same line becomes successively a less arc of a reciprocally greater circle, till at last they change into a straight line.3.
In algebra, evolution is the extraction of roots from powers; the reverse of involution.4.
In military tactics, the doubling of ranks or files, wheeling, countermarching or other motion by which the disposition of troops is changed, in order to attack or defend with more advantage, or to occupy a different post.Definition 2024
Evolution
evolution
evolution
English
Noun
evolution (plural evolutions)
- The process of accumulating change.
- Among other forms of change, the evolution of transportation has involved modification, diversification, convergence, divergence, hybridization, differentiation, and naturally, selection.
- A progression of change, often branching and diversifying in the process.
- The ongoing evolution of Lolita subculture fashion includes, among other things, the ballet style.
- (general) Gradual directional change especially one leading to a more advanced or complex form; growth; development.
- The evolution of the universe began with a bang.
- 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest:
- By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.
- 1976, Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene:
- There are some examples of cultural evolution in birds and monkeys, but […] it is our own species that really shows what cultural evolution can do.
- 2005, Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth:
- Suffering has a noble purpose: the evolution of consciousness and the burning up of the ego.
- (biology) The change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations.
- 1976, Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene:
- [Some books have] made the erroneous assumption that the important thing in evolution is the good of the species (or the group) rather than the good of the individual (or the gene).
- 2013 May-June, Katrina G. Claw, “Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3:
- Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.
- 1976, Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene:
- (chemistry) The act or an instance of giving off gas; emission.
- (mathematics) The extraction of a root from a quantity.
- (military) One of a series of ordered movements.
- (dance, sports) A turning movement of the body.
- 1869, Anon., Miss Langley's Will:
- It was a critical instant: the pirouette -- it would fail, she feared. … the rapid whirl achieved in exact time, the whole evolution executed to perfection.
- 1825, Theodore Edward Hook, Sayings and Doings: Passion and principle:
- … as he beheld the tenfold pirouette of a lovely girl, which presented to the public eye the whole of her form and figure; … to praise the dexterity and ease with which the unfortunate and degraded creature had performed the ungraceful evolution, the only merit of which, is the gross exposition of person, at which modesty shudders […]
- 1863, Knightley Willia Horlock, The master of the hounds:
- "Look now, that pirouette -- my stars! how Beauchamp would stare to see his darling perform such an evolution!"
- 1869, William Clarke, The boy's own book:
- By this operation each foot will describe an arc or segment of a circle. … This evolution is performed sometimes on one foot, sometimes on the other …
- 1869, Anon., Miss Langley's Will:
Antonyms
- (accumulation of change): stagnation
- (gradual process): revolution
- (survival through adaptation): extinction
Derived terms
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Related terms
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Translations
general: a gradual process of development
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biology: change in the genetic composition of a population over time
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mathematics: the extraction of a root from a quantity
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military: One of a series of ordered movements
See also
External links
- evolution in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- evolution in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
Swedish
Noun
evolution c
Declension
| Inflection of evolution | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Plural | |||
| Indefinite | Definite | Indefinite | Definite | |
| Nominative | evolution | evolutionen | evolutioner | evolutionerna |
| Genitive | evolutions | evolutionens | evolutioners | evolutionernas |