theory of punctuated equilibrium
- noun
- /ˈθiəri əv ˈpʌŋkʧueɪtɪd ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbriəm/
- Specialized
:
teoría del equilibrio puntuado
- The theory of punctuated equilibrium explains how species can undergo rapid changes during brief periods of time.
Examples
-
According to the theory of punctuated equilibrium, evolution happens in fits and starts rather than gradually.
-
(In any case, our theory of punctuated equilibrium is only one example of a much broader intellectual movement, with many antecedents.
Academic text (1992) -
The two younger scientists—who gained joint acclaim for their theory of punctuated equilibrium—both studied under Dr. Newell as graduate students.
Academic text (2002) -
Many biologists support the theory of punctuated equilibrium, as it accounts for gaps in the fossil record.
Synonyms
1
9.2
A theory that species change quickly in short bursts and then stay the same for long periods
How Accepted
- Specialized
206
5.0
- Specialized
∞
3.2
138
6.1
817
2.9
288
4.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
theory + of + punctuate + equilibrium
The phrase transparently combines 'punctuate' (interrupt intermittently) and 'equilibrium' (a stable state), so a learner who knows those words can infer a sense of stability being interrupted by occasional events. However, the specific scientific meaning referring to long periods of stasis punctuated by rapid speciation is technical domain knowledge and not fully predictable from the parts alone, making it only partially transparent to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Theory of punctuated equilibrium paints a simple picture: equilibrium means a long, calm state and punctuated means broken by sudden points or bursts. So the idea is that species stay much the same for long periods and then go through 'sudden bursts of change', which is why the name fits the idea.