uniformitarian
- noun
- /ˌjunɪfɔrˈmɪtɛriən/
- Specialized
:
uniformitarista
- The theory of uniformitarian geology suggests that past geological events can be understood by observing current processes.
Examples
-
Dave, I think you misuse the term "uniformitarian" as Jerry has mentioned.
Blog text (20) -
Thus, things like ice ages and cometary impacts would be ignored by the extreme uniformitarian.
Blog text (20) -
Many scientists today identify as uniformitarians, believing that geological changes occur through gradual processes over millions of years.
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In discussions about Earth's history, a uniformitarian perspective emphasizes the slow and consistent changes over sudden catastrophic events.
Synonyms
1
7.7
A person who prefers small, slow changes rather than sudden big changes
1
7.2
A person who supports slow, step-by-step change
Antonyms
- Specialized
2
9.6
A person who believes that sudden major disasters shape history or the earth
Surface Forms
Morphology
uniformitarian = uniformitarian (semi-transparent) = uniform + itarian
This noun is a substantivized use of the adjective, so the form changes little, but the sense still depends on the specialized doctrine.
Etymology
Uniformitarian as a noun is formed like humanitarian, where the ending names a person, and the root uniform means 'same', so a uniformitarian is a person who believes the same slow processes made the land we see today. That's why a uniformitarian argues for gradual change instead of sudden disasters.