\Ev`o*lu"tion\, n. [L. evolutio an unrolling: cf. F.
['e]volution 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.) The formation of an involute by unwrapping a
   thread from a curve as an evolute. --Hutton.
4. (Arith. & Alg.) The extraction of roots; -- the reverse of
   involution.
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.
         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
       pre["e]xist in the parent, and its parts to be
       developed, but not actually formed, by the procreative
       act; -- opposed to epigenesis.
7. (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
   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.