evolution

evolution
[ˌiːvəˈluːʃ(ə)n, ˈɛv-]
noun
[mass noun]

the process by which different kinds of living organism are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth
进化；演化
The idea of organic evolution was proposed by some ancient Greek thinkers but was long rejected in Europe as contrary to the literal interpretation of the Bible. Lamarck proposed a theory that organisms became transformed by their efforts to respond to the demands of their environment, but he was unable to explain a mechanism for this. Lyell demonstrated that geological deposits were the cumulative product of slow processes over vast ages. This helped Darwin towards a theory of gradual evolution over a long period by the natural selection of those varieties of an organism slightly better adapted to the environment and hence more likely to produce descendants. Combined with the later discoveries of the cellular and molecular basis of genetics, Darwin's theory of evolution has, with some modification, become the dominant unifying concept of modern biology
the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form
演变
the forms of written languages undergo constant evolution.
书写语言的形式经过了不断的演变。
(Chemistry)the giving off of a gaseous product, or of heat
(化)释放气体；散发热量
[count noun]a pattern of movements or manoeuvres
队形变换；位置变换
flocks of waders often perform aerial evolutions.
大群大群的涉水鸟常常进行空中队形变换表演。
(Mathematics, dated)the extraction of a root from a given quantity
(数旧)开方

派生
evolutional
adjective
evolutionally
adverb
evolutionarily
adverb
evolutionary
adjective
evolutive
adjective
语源

early 17th cent.: from Latin evolutio(n-) 'unrolling', from the verb evolvere (see evolve). Early senses related to physical movement, first recorded in describing a tactical ‘wheeling’ manoeuvre in the realignment of troops or ships. Current senses stem from a notion of ‘opening out’ and ‘unfolding’, giving rise to a general sense of 'development'

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