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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Evolution \Ev`o*lu"tion\ ([e^]v`[-o]*l[=u]"sh[u^]n), n. [L.
evolutio an unrolling: cf. F. ['e]volution 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.
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2. A series of things unrolled or unfolded. "The whole
evolution of ages." --Dr. H. More.
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3. (Geom.) The formation of an involute by unwrapping a
thread from a curve as an evolute. --Hutton.
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4. (Arith. & Alg.) The extraction of roots; -- the reverse of
involution.
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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.
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Those evolutions are best which can be executed with
the greatest celerity, compatible with regularity.
--Campbell.
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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.
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7. (Biol.) That theory of generation which supposes the germ
to pre["e]xist in the parent, and its parts to be
developed, but not actually formed, by the procreative
act; -- opposed to {epigenesis}.
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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.
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Evolution is to me series with development.
--Gladstone.
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