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Glite Dictionary
emergent evolution

emergent evolution

9.9
A theory that new qualities appear during the history of life and cannot be predicted from what came before
  • noun
  • /ɪˈmɜrdʒənt ˌɛvəˈluːʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : evolución emergente
  • The concept of emergent evolution attempts to explain how consciousness appeared as a novel property.

Examples

  • The concept of emergent evolution explains how complex traits can develop suddenly.

  • Some biologists have debated whether emergent evolution can fully account for the complexity of life.

  • His research paper discusses the implications of emergent evolution for understanding the human mind.

  • How does emergent evolution differ from traditional evolutionary theories?

  • The theory of emergent evolution suggests that new forms of life can arise at critical points in nature.

  • Scientists are exploring emergent evolution to understand how higher-level biological complexities develop.

  • In his lecture, he described emergent evolution as a process that leads to unexpected traits in organisms.

Antonyms

stagnation
19 6.8

A period when activity and growth stop, often in business or the economy

Surface Forms

emergent evolution singular
emergent evolutions plural

Morphology

emergent + evolution

The phrase is compositionally built: 'emergent' modifies 'evolution', so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to evolutionary change characterized by new properties arising. However, the term carries specialized theoretical nuances (sudden novel properties at critical points, unpredictability) that go beyond the literal combination and may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner, so it is only partly transparent.

Etymology

Emergent evolution puts together emergent, meaning 'appearing', and evolution, meaning 'slow change over time'. One clear image is small changes building until something new 'appears', so the phrase means 'new properties can arise at certain points' during evolution.