EVOLUTIONS
Noun
evolutions
plural of evolution
Source: Wiktionary
EVOLUTION
Ev`o*lu"tion, n. Etym: [L. evolutio an unrolling: cf. F. évolution
evolution. See Evolve.]
1. The act of unfolding or unrolling; hence, in the process of
growth; development; as, the evolution of a flower from a bud, or an
animal from the egg.
2. A series of things unrolled or unfolded. "The whole evolution of
ages." Dr. H. More.
3. (Geom.)
Definition: The formation of an involute by unwrapping a thread from a
curve as an evolute. Hutton.
4. (Arith. & Alg.)
Definition: The extraction of roots; -- the reverse of involution.
5. (Mil. & Naval)
Definition: 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) 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.
(b) 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.
7. (Metaph.)
Definition: 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 philosophrs.
Evolution is to me series with development. Gladstone.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition