— evolutional , adj. — evolutionally , adv.
/ev'euh looh"sheuhn/ or, esp. Brit., /ee'veuh-/ , n.
1. any process of formation or growth; development: the evolution of a language; the evolution of the airplane.
2. a product of such development; something evolved: The exploration of space is the evolution of decades of research.
3. Biol. change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by such processes as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift.
4. a process of gradual, peaceful, progressive change or development, as in social or economic structure or institutions.
5. a motion incomplete in itself, but combining with coordinated motions to produce a single action, as in a machine.
6. a pattern formed by or as if by a series of movements: the evolutions of a figure skater.
7. an evolving or giving off of gas, heat, etc.
8. Math. the extraction of a root from a quantity. Cf. involution (def. 8).
9. a movement or one of a series of movements of troops, ships, etc., as for disposition in order of battle or in line on parade.
10. any similar movement, esp. in close order drill.
[ 1615-25; evolution- (s. of evolutio ) an unrolling, opening, equiv. to evolut ( us ) (see EVOLUTE) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 1. unfolding, change, progression, metamorphosis.
Ant. 1. stasis, inactivity, changelessness.