Evolution
[,iːvə'luːʃ(ə)n;'ev-] or [,ivə'luʃən]
Definition
(noun.) (biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms.
Edited by Edith--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of unfolding or unrolling; hence, in the process of growth; development; as, the evolution of a flower from a bud, or an animal from the egg.
(n.) A series of things unrolled or unfolded.
(n.) The formation of an involute by unwrapping a thread from a curve as an evolute.
(n.) The extraction of roots; -- the reverse of involution.
(n.) 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.
(n.) 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.
(n.) That theory of generation which supposes the germ to preexist in the parent, and its parts to be developed, but not actually formed, by the procreative act; -- opposed to epigenesis.
(n.) 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 pocess 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.
Typist: Ludwig
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Evolving, unfolding, expansion, evolvement.
Checked by Carlton
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See ALTITUDE]
Typist: Portia
Definition
n. the act of unrolling or unfolding: gradual working out or development: a series of things unfolded: the doctrine according to which higher forms of life have gradually arisen out of lower: (arith. alg.) the extraction of roots: (pl.) the orderly movements of a body of troops or of ships of war.—adjs. Evolū′tional Evolū′tionary of or pertaining to evolution.—ns. Evolū′tionism the theory of evolution; Evolū′tionist one skilled in evolutions or military movements: one who believes in evolution as a principle in science.—adj. Ev′olūtive.
Typist: Ted
Unserious Contents or Definition
A clever trick performed by one Darwin, who made a monkey of Adam.
Typed by Jerry
Examples
- That of the evolution of motion pictures follows. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Now, things are wholly changed, and almost every naturalist admits the great principle of evolution. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- In the later nineteenth century, this type of idealism was amalgamated with the doctrine of biological evolution. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Aside from the development of the motion picture as a spectacle, there has gone on an evolution in its use for educational purposes of wide range, which must not be overlooked. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The individual develops, but his proper development consists in repeating in orderly stages the past evolution of animal life and human history. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- I formerly spoke to very many naturalists on the subject of evolution, and never once met with any sympathetic agreement. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Who invented the game and the early processes of its evolution remain mysteries. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Among the complex and numerous problems that presented themselves in the evolution of the battery was the one concerning the internal conductivity of the positive unit. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Many Inventions and Modifications Resulting in a Wonderful Evolution. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Strange as it may appear, the evolution of an enlightened civilization and the deadly use of firearms have developed in parallel lines. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The evolution and development of the spoon into the graceful and beautiful forms in use on our tables is fascinating and instructive. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The Evolution of a Knife. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The therns, and he smiled maliciously as he spoke, are but the result of ages of evolution from the pure white ape of antiquity. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Even those who talk of the slow evolution of society are likely to think of it as a series of definite changes easily marked and well known to everybody. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- But the evolution of invention has not been uniform. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Only two or three evolutions had been gone through when he dismissed the battalion, and, turning to go to his own quarters, dropped dead. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- On the common he watched them go through a number of evolutions. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- His study of the problem brought him to the development of the modern substation, although the twists that later evolutions have given the idea have left it scarcely recognizable. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Now commenced a series of evolutions which even then seemed ludicrous in the extreme. Edgar Rice Burroughs. A Princess of Mars.
- Evolutions from a straight course were accomplished. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
Typist: Ruth