Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary -- Volume DE7. (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 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 philosophers. Evolution is to me series with development. Ev`oˇlu"tionˇal (?), a. Relating to evolution. "Evolutional changes." H. Spenser. Ev`oˇlu"tionˇaˇry (?), a. Relating to evolution; as, evolutionary discussions. Ev`oˇlu"tionˇism (?), n. The theory of, or belief in, evolution. See Evolution, 6 and 7. Ev`oˇlu"tionˇist (?), n. 1. One skilled in evolutions. 2. one who holds the doctrine of evolution, either in biology or in metaphysics. Darwin. Eˇvolve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Evolved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Evolving.] [L. evolvere, evolutum; e out + volvere to roll. See Voluble.] 1. To unfold or unroll; to open and expand; to disentangle and exhibit clearly and satisfactorily; to develop; to derive; to educe. The animal soul sooner evolves itself to its full orb and extent than the human soul. The principles which art involves, science alone evolves. Not by any power evolved from man's own resources, but by a power which descended from above. 2. To throw out; to emit; as, to evolve odors. |