evolution

ev·o·lu·tion  (v-lshn, v-)

n.

1. A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form. See Synonyms at development.

2.

a. The process of developing.

b. Gradual development.

3. Biology

a. Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, as a result of natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, and resulting in the development of new species.

b. The historical development of a related group of organisms; phylogeny.

4. A movement that is part of a set of ordered movements.

5. Mathematics The extraction of a root of a quantity.

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[Latin volti, voltin-, from voltus, past participle of volvere, to unroll; see evolve.]

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evo·lution·al, evo·lution·ary (-sh-nr) adj.

evo·lution·ari·ly adv.

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evolution

Noun

1. Biol a gradual change in the characteristics of a population of animals or plants over successive generations

2. a gradual development, esp. to a more complex form [Latin evolutio an unrolling]

evolutionary adj

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evolution  (v-lshn)

1. The process by which species of organisms arise from earlier life forms and undergo change over time through natural selection. The modern understanding of the origins of species is based on the theories of Charles Darwin combined with a modern knowledge of genetics based on the work of Gregor Mendel. Darwin observed there is a certain amount of variation of traits or characteristics among the different individuals belonging to a population. Some of these traits confer fitnessthey allow the individual organism that possesses them to survive in their environment better than other individuals who do not possess them and to leave more offspring. The offspring then inherit the beneficial traits, and over time the adaptive trait spreads through the population. In twentieth century, the development of the the science of genetics helped explain the origin of the variation of the traits between individual organisms and the way in which they are passed from generation to generation. This basic model of evolution has since been further refined, and the role of genetic drift and sexual selection in the evolution of populations has been recognized. See also natural selectionsexual selection See Notes at adaptationDarwin Charles Robert

2. A process of development and change from one state to another, as of the universe in its development through time.

A Closer Look Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection assumed that tiny adaptations occur in organisms constantly over millions of years. Gradually, a new species develops that is distinct from its ancestors. In the 1970s, however, biologists Niles Eldridge and Stephen Jay Gould proposed that evolution by natural selection may not have been such a smooth and consistent process. Based on fossils from around the world that showed the abrupt appearance of new species, Eldridge and Gould suggested that evolution is better described through punctuated equilibrium. That is, for long periods of time species remain virtually unchanged, not even gradually adapting. They are in equilibrium, in balance with the environment. But when confronted with environmental challengessudden climate change, for exampleorganisms adapt quite quickly, perhaps in only a few thousand years. These active periods are punctuations, after which a new equilibrium exists and species remain stable until the next punctuation.

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Evolution

See also biology; change; growth; improvement.

Darwinism

the theory of evolution by natural selection of those species best adapted to survive the struggle for existence. — Darwinian, n., ad).

evolutionism

a principle or theory of evolution. — evolutionist, n., adj.

Lamarckism

the theory of organic evolution advanced by the French naturalist Lamarck that characteristics acquired by habit, diseases, or adaptations to change in environment may be inherited. — Lamarckian, n., adj.

Neo-Darwinism

the theory that maintains natural selection to be the major factor in plant and animal evolution and denies the possibility of inheriting acquired characteristics. — Neo-Darwinist, n., adj. — Neo-Darwinian, n., adj.

Neo-Lamarckism

a modern theory based on Lamarckism that states that acquired characteristics are inherited. — Neo-Lamarckian, n., adj.

orthogenesis

progressive evolution, leading to the development of a new form, as can be seen through successive generations. See also society. — orthogenetic, adj.

pangenesis

the theory advanced by Darwin, now rejected, that each part of the body is represented in each cell by gemmules, which are the basic units of hereditary transmission. — pangenetic, adj.

phylogeny

the history of the development of a plant, animal, or racial type. — phylogenist, n. — phylogenetic, adj.

primordialism

a devotion to the conditions which existed at the beginning of creation.

transformism

the ability of one species to change into another. — transformist, n.

tychism

1. the theory that chance is involved in evolution and that variation within a species is accidental.
2. the belief that chance rather than mere determinism operates in the cosmos. Cf. uniformitarianism.

uniformitarianism

1. Philosophy. a doctrine that the universe is governed only by rigid, unexceptionable law.
2. Geology. the concept that current geological processes explain all past geological occurrences. — uniformitarian, n., adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	evolution - a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage); "the development of his ideas took many years"; "the evolution of Greek civilization"; "the slow development of her skill as a writer" development physical process, process - a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states; "events now in process"; "the process of calcification begins later for boys than for girls" assibilation - the development of a consonant phoneme into a sibilant deepening - a process of becoming deeper and more profound growth - a progression from simpler to more complex forms; "the growth of culture" unfolding, flowering - a developmental process; "the flowering of antebellum culture" degeneration, devolution - the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
	2.	evolution - (biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms organic evolution, phylogenesis, phylogeny Scopes trial - a highly publicized trial in 1925 when John Thomas Scopes violated a Tennessee state law by teaching evolution in high school; Scopes was prosecuted by William Jennings Bryan and defended by Clarence Darrow; Scopes was convicted but the verdict was later reversed biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms anamorphism, anamorphosis - the evolution of one type of organism from another by a long series of gradual changes anthropogenesis, anthropogeny - the evolution or genesis of the human race emergent evolution - the appearance of entirely new properties at certain critical stages in the course of evolution macroevolution - evolution on a large scale extending over geologic era and resulting in the formation of new taxonomic groups microevolution - evolution resulting from small specific genetic changes that can lead to a new subspecies biological process, organic process - a process occurring in living organisms speciation - the evolution of a biological species

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evolution

noun 1. Biology rise, development, adaptation, natural selection, Darwinism, survival of the fittest, evolvement

2. development, growth, advance, progress, working out, expansion, extension, unfolding, progression, enlargement, maturation, unrolling

Translations

evolution [iːvəˈluːʃən] n → evolución f desarrollo.; desarrollo

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evolution [iːvəˈluːʃən] n → évolution f

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evolution [iːvəˈluːʃən] n → Evolution f;

(development) → Entwicklung f

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evolution [iːvəˈluːʃən] n → evoluzione f