Evolution

Species change theory

Evolution is gradual change over time, especially the biological process by which species develop through natural selection and genetic variation across generations: Darwin's theory of evolution, the evolution of mammals from reptiles.

The word applies broadly to any developmental progression: the evolution of jazz, the evolution of language, the evolution of her thinking on the subject.

In contexts where evolution is contested, the word itself can signal allegiance: Do you believe in evolution?

biological

natural selection

Differential reproductive success

adaptationFitting to new conditions
mutationPermanent DNA alteration
speciesFinest taxonomic rank

Darwin · survival · fitness · descent · heredity · variation · speciation · gene · trait · organism

cultural

movement

Change in position

trendDirection of change
zeitgeistEra's dominant mentality
paradigmGoverning framework of thought

shift · progress · modernization · tradition · societal change · customs · norms · values · fashion · influence

change

transformation

Thorough change in form

developmentProgress toward maturity
progressionSequential forward movement
advancementForward movement or promotion

growth · shift · transition · metamorphosis · unfolding · gradual change · maturation · refinement · emergence · modification

technology

iteration

Repeated procedural pass

upgradeRaise to higher standard
versionA distinct form
innovationCreating something original

advancement · generation · improvement · prototype · refinement · obsolescence · leap · disruption · breakthrough · progress

personal

growth

Increase in size

self-improvementEnhancing oneself deliberately
transformationThorough change in form
journeyTravel from place to place

maturity · awakening · development · learning · becoming · self-discovery · enlightenment · realization · change · healing

Categories

Science PublicationsScience, Scientific American, Popular Science, Microbiology, Lancet
journalsjournals, journal, diary, diaries, personal diaries
Email SoftwareGmail, Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Yahoo Mail
DreamcastCrazy Taxi, Seaman, NBA 2K
garbage disposalsgarbage disposal, garbage disposal unit, impeller, impellers, splash guard
GNOME SoftwareNautilus, Epiphany

Opposites

origin/explanation of life

Evolutioncreation

Making something exist

creationism · intelligent design · divine creation · special creation · Genesis

change vs. stasis

Evolutionstasis

State of inactivity

stagnation · immutability · fixity · permanence · changelessness

direction of change

Evolutiondevolution

Transferring power locally

regression · degeneration · decline · deterioration · decay

Phrases

Darwinian evolutionSpecies change through selection
theory of evolutionBiological change over generations
human evolutionOur species' biological origin
evolutionary theoryScience of species change
evolutionary treeDiagram of ancestral relationships
biological evolutionInherited trait change across generations

Family

evolutions, evolutionary, evolutionist, evolutionists, evolutionism, coevolution, devolution, revolution, revolutions

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G