anti-evolution
|an-ti-e-vo-lu-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.ɛvəˈluːʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.iːvəˈluːʃən/
opposition to evolution
Etymology
'anti-evolution' originates from the Greek prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') combined with the Latin-derived word 'evolution' (from Latin 'evolutio'), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'evolutio' meant 'an unrolling or unfolding'.
'evolution' changed from Latin 'evolutio' (from the verb 'evolvere' meaning 'to unroll') into Medieval/Scientific Latin usage, passed into French as 'évolution' and then entered English as 'evolution' by the 17th century; the compound 'anti-evolution' is a modern formation using the prefix 'anti-' attached to 'evolution'.
Initially 'evolutio' meant 'an unrolling' or 'a coming forth', and over time 'evolution' came to mean 'a process of gradual development or change' (especially in biological context); 'anti-evolution' developed as a term for opposition to that modern scientific sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the position, belief, or movement opposing the scientific theory of biological evolution (often rejecting or denying evolutionary explanations for the diversity of life).
The conference included several speakers promoting anti-evolution arguments.
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Adjective 1
describing a person, statement, policy, or group that opposes or rejects the theory of evolution.
Her anti-evolution stance drew criticism from many scientists.
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Last updated: 2025/10/27 16:02