n.
Pronunciation: ˌ e-v ə - ' lü-sh ə n, ˌ ē -v ə -
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin evolution-, evolutio unrolling, from evolvere
Date: 1622
1 : one of a set of prescribed movements
2 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 evolved
3 : the process of working out or developing
4 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 theory
5 : the extraction of a mathematical root
6 : a process in which the whole universe is a progression of interrelated phenomena
– evo · lu · tion · ari · ly \ -sh ə - ˌ ner- ə -l ē \ adverb
– evo · lu · tion · ary \ -sh ə - ˌ ner- ē \ adjective
– evo · lu · tion · ism \ -sh ə - ˌ ni-z ə m \ noun
– evo · lu · tion · ist \ -sh( ə -)nist \ noun or adjective