anti-evolutionist
|an-ti-e-vo-lu-tion-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˌɛv.əˈluː.ʃə.nɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˌiː.vəˈluː.ʃən.ɪst/
opposes evolution
Etymology
'anti-evolutionist' originates from multiple elements: the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against'), 'evolution' (from Latin 'evolutio' meaning 'an unrolling' or 'unfolding'), and the agent-forming suffix '-ist' (from Greek/Latin via French, indicating 'one who believes in or practices').
'anti-evolutionist' was formed in English by compounding 'anti-' + 'evolution' + '-ist' during debates about biological evolution from the late 19th century onward; 'evolution' itself comes from Latin 'evolutio' (via French/Medieval Latin) and entered modern English as 'evolution'.
Initially the roots meant 'against' + 'unfolding' + 'agent', but the compound evolved to mean specifically 'a person opposed to the scientific theory of biological evolution'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who rejects or opposes the scientific theory of biological evolution (for example, Darwinian evolution).
He was described as an anti-evolutionist after arguing that schools should teach creationist ideas alongside evolution.
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Noun 2
someone who opposes the concept of gradual change or development (e.g., social, cultural, or technological evolution) — often used figuratively.
In the policy debate he was labeled an anti-evolutionist for rejecting the idea that technology will inevitably lead to social progress.
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Last updated: 2025/10/27 18:03