transformism

[ trans-fawr-miz-uhm ]

noun

, Biology.

1. the doctrine of gradual transformation of one species into another by descent with modification through many generations.
2. such transformation itself.
3. any doctrine or instance of evolution.

transformism

/ trænsˈfɔːmɪzəm /

noun

1. a less common word for evolution, used esp to refer to the theory of evolution

Derived Forms

• transˈformist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of transformism¹

1875–80; transform + -ism, modeled on French transformisme

Example Sentences

In no case can true variations claim to be of great importance in problems of transformism.

From Project Gutenberg

But these are characteristics of life itself, irrespective of all its specific forms, which alone are concerned in transformism.

From Project Gutenberg

That is the Darwinian part of an explanation of transformism which may be conceded as an hypothesis.

From Project Gutenberg

That is not quite without logical importance, for it shows that not biology alone has led to the transformism hypothesis.

From Project Gutenberg

The word transformism, as used by the French, would also be a very good title.

From Project Gutenberg