[evo.lu.tion] n [L evolution-, evolutio unrolling, fr. evolvere] (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
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 adv -- evo.lu.tion.ary adj -- evo.lu.tion.ism n -- evo.lu.tion.ist n or adj