[as prec. + -IST.]

1

  1.  One who upholds the doctrine of evolution; an adherent of evolutionism.

2

1859.  Darwin, Orig. Spec., vii. (1873), 189. It is admitted by most evolutionists that mammals are descended from a marsupial form.

3

1873.  Dawson, Earth & Man, xiv. 349. The evolutionist is really in a position of absolute antagonism to the idea of creation.

4

  b.  attrib. or adj.

5

1877.  Dawson, Orig. World, xv. 338. The prevalence of the evolutionist philosophy.

6

1882.  Athenæum, 24 June, 789/2. Right conduct on evolutionist principles can only be such conduct as is in accord with the conditions of social vitality.

7

  2.  An advocate of the theory of ‘Evolution,’ as opposed to Epigenesis. Cf. EVOLUTION 6 b.

8

1875.  trans. Schmidt’s Desc. & Darw., 45. The vehement dispute … between Evolutionists and Epigenists.

9

  3.  One skilled in evolutions.

10

1864.  in Webster; and in mod. Dicts.

11