evolution

n. [ L. evolutio an unrolling: cf. F. évolution evolution. See Evolve. ] 1. The act of unfolding or unrolling; hence, any process of growth or development; as, the evolution of a flower from a bud, or an animal from the egg. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A series of things unrolled or unfolded. “The whole evolution of ages.” Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Geom.) The formation of an involute by unwrapping a thread from a curve as an evolute. Hutton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Arith. & Alg.) The extraction of roots; -- the reverse of involution. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Mil. & Naval) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those evolutions are best which can be executed with the greatest celerity, compatible with regularity. Campbell. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Biol.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Biol.) That theory of generation which supposes the germ to preëxist in the parent, and its parts to be developed, but not actually formed, by the procreative act; -- opposed to epigenesis. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Metaph.) 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 process 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Evolution is to me series with development. Gladstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to evolution. “Evolutional changes.” H. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to evolution; as, evolutionary discussions. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The theory of, or belief in, evolution. See Evolution, 6 and 7. [ 1913 Webster ]