noun

1. an unfolding, opening out, or working out; process of development, as from a simple to a complex form, or of gradual, progressive change, as in a social and economic structure
2. a result or product of this; thing evolved
3. 1. a movement that is part of a series or pattern
   2. a pattern produced, or seemingly produced, by such a series of movements the evolutions of a fancy skater
4. a setting free or giving off, as of gas in a chemical reaction
5. Biol.
   1. the development of a species, organism, or organ from its original or primitive state to its present or specialized state; phylogeny or ontogeny
   2. Darwinian theory
6. Math. the extracting of a root of a given number

7. Etymology: Fr évolution

   Mil. any of various movements or maneuvers by which troops, ships, etc. change formation

Etymology: L evolutio, an unrolling or opening < evolutus, pp. of evolvere: see evolve