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e·volve

(ĭ-vŏlv)

v. e·volved, e·volv·ing, e·volves

v.tr.

a. To develop or achieve gradually: evolve a style of one's own.

b. To work (something) out; devise: "the schemes he evolved to line his purse" (S.J. Perelman).

2. Biology To develop (a characteristic) by evolutionary processes.

3. To give off; emit.

v.intr.

1. To undergo gradual change; develop: an amateur acting group that evolved into a theatrical company.

2. Biology To arise or transform through evolutionary processes.

[Latin ēvolvere, to unroll : ē-, ex-, ex- + volvere, to roll; see wel-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

e·volva·ble adj.

e·volvement n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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