transformism

American  

[trans-fawr-miz-uhm] / trænsˈfɔr mɪz əm /

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.

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transformism British  

/ trænsˈfɔːmɪzəm /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• transformist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of transformism

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

transformism

Almost all that transformism tells us to-day would be preserved, open to interpretation in another way.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

Let us admit, however, that transformism may be wrong.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

For this reason we think the language of transformism forces itself now upon all philosophy, as the dogmatic affirmation of transformism forces itself upon science.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

It does not enter into our plan to set down here the proofs of transformism.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

Mr. Darwin did not originate the idea of genetic transformism, which is almost necessarily suggested by the systematic development of life-forms to which Geology bears witness.

From The Old Riddle and the Newest Answer by Gerard, John S.J.