evolution

ev•o•lu•tion

[[t]ˌɛv əˈlu ʃən[/t]] esp. brit. [[t]ˌi və-[/t]] n.

1) any process of formation or growth; development:

the evolution of the drama[/ex]

2) a product of development; something evolved

3) bio Biol.

a) change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by such processes as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift

b) the development of a species or other group of organisms; phylogeny

c) the theory that all existing organisms developed from earlier forms by natural selection; Darwinism

4) soc a process of gradual, progressive change and development, as in a social or economic structure

5) a motion incomplete in itself, but combining with coordinated motions to produce a single action, as in a machine

6) a pattern formed by a series of movements:

the evolutions of a figure skater[/ex]

7) math. Math. the extraction of a root from a quantity

8) mil a military training exercise

9) mil a movement executed by troops in formation

ev`o•lu′tion•al, ev•o•lu′tion•ar′y, adj. ev`o•lu′tion•al•ly, ev`o•lu`tion•ar′i•ly, adv.