antievolutionary
|an-ti-e-vo-lu-tion-ar-y|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.ɛvəˈluːʃə.ri/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.ɪvəˈljuːʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/
against evolution / opposed to change
Etymology
'antievolutionary' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí' meaning 'against') combined with 'evolutionary' (from Latin 'evolutio' via French 'évolution'), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'evolutio' meant 'unrolling' or 'opening up'.
'evolution' came into English via French 'évolution' from Latin 'evolutio' (from 'evolvere' 'to unroll' ; ex- 'out' + volvere 'to roll'). The adjective 'evolutionary' was formed in English, and 'anti-' as a combining prefix was attached to create 'antievolutionary'.
Initially used to mean 'against the scientific theory of evolution' (especially in debates over Darwinism); over time it has also been applied more broadly to describe opposition to gradual or progressive change in social, political, or institutional contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
opposed to the theory of biological evolution (especially Darwinian evolution).
The group's antievolutionary position influenced its education policy proposals.
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Adjective 2
opposed to gradual development or progressive change in social, political, or institutional systems; reactionary.
Some policies were criticized as antievolutionary because they resisted institutional reform.
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Adjective 3
not evolutionary; not involving or exhibiting change by natural development or adaptation.
The design felt antievolutionary, as if it had not adapted over time to users' needs.
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Last updated: 2025/08/31 19:07