a. [f. as prec. + -ARY.]
1. Of or pertaining to evolution or development; evolutional.
1846. Worcester cites Eclectic Rev.
1875. N. Amer. Rev., CXX. 255. The bond of continuity which makes man the central link between his ancestors and his posterity is evolutionary, and, as such, dynamical.
1883. H. Drummond, Nat. Law in Spir. W., xii. (1884), 407. The development throughout obeys the evolutionary law in being from the general to the special.
b. Of language, opinions, methods, etc.: In accordance with the theory of evolution. Hence qualifying personal designations: Following evolutionary methods.
1864. F. Hall, in Wilson, trans. Vishṅu-puráṅa, III. 25. The evolutionary doctrine.
1881. G. Allen, Vignettes fr. Nat., x. 93. These self-same … outer flowers … make the guelder rose so interesting a plant in the eyes of the evolutionary biologist.
1876. C. E. Appleton, Life & Lit. Relics (1881), 184. Its process, as we should now say in evolutionary language.
1881. Romanes, in Nature, XXIII. 501. The evolutionary psychologist.
2. Of, pertaining to, or performing the evolutions or manœuvres of troops or ships of war.
1859. in Worcester.
1861. J. H. Macdonald, Evolut. Battalion, 8. The first object of all evolutionary operations in the field … is to move towards the enemy.
1881. Army & Navy Gaz., 23 July, 570/2. The French Evolutionary squadron will visit Oran … Algiers, etc.
1890. Daily News, 9 May, 5/6. The evolutionary grounds on which the special review is to be held before Prince Victor Emmanuel cover a magnificent area of level steppe.
