n. 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. A series of things unrolled or unfolded. [
'Evolution' is defined as 'the theory that the various types of animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types, the distinguishable differences being due to modifications in successive generations.'
- (Geom.) The formation of an involute by unwrapping a thread from a curve as an evolute.
- (Arith. & Alg.) The extraction of roots; - the reverse of involution.
- (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.
- (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 preexist in the parent, and its parts to be developed, ...