Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Evolution
Evˊo-lu′tion
(ĕvˊō̍-lū′shŭn)
, Noun.
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 egg2.
A series of things unrolled or unfolded.
“The whole evolution of ages.” Dr. H. More.
3.
(Geom.)
The formation of an involute by unwrapping a thread from a curve as an evolute.
Hutton.
4.
(Arith. & Alg.)
The extraction of roots; – the reverse of
involution
. 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.
Those
evolutions
are best which can be executed with the greatest celerity, compatible with regularity. Campbell.
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.
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
. 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.
Evolution
is to me series with development. Gladstone.
Webster 1828 Edition
Evolution
EVOLU'TION
,Noun.
1.
A series of things unrolled or unfolded; as the evolution of ages.2.
In geometry, the unfolding or opening of a curve,and making it describe an evolvent. The equable evolution of the periphery of a circle, or other curve, is such a gradual approach of the circumference to rectitude, as that its parts do all concur, and equally evolve or unbend; so that the same line becomes successively a less arc of a reciprocally greater circle, till at last they change into a straight line.3.
In algebra, evolution is the extraction of roots from powers; the reverse of involution.4.
In military tactics, the doubling of ranks or files, wheeling, countermarching or other motion by which the disposition of troops is changed, in order to attack or defend with more advantage, or to occupy a different post.