Main Entry:

evo·lu·tion

Pronunciation:

\ˌe-və-ˈlü-shən, ˌē-və-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Latin evolution-, evolutio unrolling, from evolvere

Date:

1622

1: one of a set of prescribed movements2 a: a process of change in a certain direction : unfolding b: the action or an instance of forming and giving something off : emission c (1): a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state : growth (2): a process of gradual and relatively peaceful social, political, and economic advance d: something evolved3: the process of working out or developing4 a: the historical development of a biological group (as a race or species) : phylogeny b: a theory that the various types of animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations ; also : the process described by this theory5: the extraction of a mathematical root6: a process in which the whole universe is a progression of interrelated phenomena

— evo·lu·tion·ari·ly \-shə-ˌner-ə-lē\ adverb

— evo·lu·tion·ary \-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective

— evo·lu·tion·ism \-shə-ˌni-zəm\ noun

— evo·lu·tion·ist \-sh(ə-)nist\ noun or adjective