antievolution
|an-ti-e-vo-lu-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.ɛvəˈluː.ʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.evəˈl(j)uː.ʃən/
against evolution
Etymology
'antievolution' originates in English as a compound of the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti', meaning 'against') and 'evolution' (from Latin 'evolutio'), where 'anti-' expressed opposition and 'evolutio' referred to 'an unrolling' or 'development'.
'evolution' comes from Latin 'evolutio' (from 'evolvere', 'to unroll' or 'to unfold') and entered English in contexts of general development; 'anti-' is from Greek 'anti' ('against') and was productive in English compounds. The compound 'antievolution' arose in English usage in contexts opposing the scientific theory of evolution, particularly from the late 19th to 20th century as debates about Darwinism developed.
Initially, 'evolution' meant 'an unrolling' or 'gradual unfolding' (general development). Over time, with Darwinian biology, it took the specialized sense of biological change over generations; 'antievolution' therefore came to mean 'opposition to that scientific theory' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
opposition to the scientific theory of biological evolution; the movement, doctrine, or stance opposing evolution (often on religious, philosophical, or ideological grounds).
The committee debated antievolution arguments presented by several speakers.
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Adjective 1
describing a person, statement, policy, or idea that is opposed to the theory of evolution.
The school adopted an antievolution curriculum policy that limited teaching about evolution.
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Last updated: 2025/08/31 18:28