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evolve

[ih-volv]
verb (used with object), e·volved, e·volv·ing.
  1. to develop gradually: to evolve a scheme.
  2. to give off or emit, as odors or vapors.
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verb (used without object), e·volved, e·volv·ing.
  1. to come forth gradually into being; develop; undergo evolution: The whole idea evolved from a casual remark.
  2. to gradually change one's opinions or beliefs: candidates who are still evolving on the issue; an evolved feminist mom.
  3. Biology. to develop by a process of evolution to a different adaptive state or condition: The human species evolved from an ancestor that was probably arboreal.
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Origin of evolve

1635–45; < Latin ēvolvere to unroll, open, unfold, equivalent to ē- e-1 + volvere to roll, turn
Related formse·volv·a·ble, adjectivee·volve·ment, noune·volv·er, nounnon·e·volv·ing, adjectiveself-e·volved, adjectiveself-e·volv·ing, adjectiveun·e·volved, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for evolver

Historical Examples

  • We hold in this case to our old idea, and say: If there be evolution, there must be an evolver.

    Scientific Essays and Lectures

    Charles Kingsley

  • This mode of popular speech reached the climax of absurdity when it was gravely argued that "Evolution implies an Evolver."

  • We p. xxiiihold in this case to our old idea, and say—If there be evolution, there must be an evolver.

    Westminster Sermons

    Charles Kingsley

British Dictionary definitions for evolver

evolve

verb
  1. to develop or cause to develop gradually
  2. (intr) (of animal or plant species) to undergo evolution
  3. (tr) to yield, emit, or give off (heat, gas, vapour, etc)
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Derived Formsevolvable, adjectiveevolvement, nounevolver, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin ēvolvere to unfold, from volvere to roll
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for evolver

evolve

v.

1640s, "to unfold, open out, expand," from Latin evolvere "to unroll," especially of books; figuratively "to make clear, disclose; to produce, develop," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + volvere "to roll" (see volvox). Meaning "to develop by natural processes to a higher state" is from 1832. Related: Evolved; evolving.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
evolver in Science

evolve

[ĭ-vŏlv′]
  1. To undergo biological evolution, as in the development of new species or new traits within a species.
  2. To develop a characteristic through the process of evolution.
  3. To undergo change and development, as the structures of the universe.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.