evolvability

evolvability

English

Etymology

Etymology tree
English evolve
Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr
Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom
Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlis
Proto-Italic *-ðlis
Latin -bilis
Latin -ābilis
Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂
Proto-Indo-European *-ts
Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts
Proto-Italic *-tāts
Latin -tās
Latin -abilitas
Middle French -abletébor.
Middle English -ablete
English -ability
English evolvability

    From evolve + -ability.

    Noun

    evolvability (countable and uncountable, plural evolvabilities)

    1. (chiefly biology) The ability to evolve. [from 20th c.]
      • 2003, Adrian Woolfson, ‘Genetic Mountaineering’, London Review of Books, volume 25, number 3:
        Systems must be constantly poised for change: a potential for evolvability is essential if they are to respond to the vagaries of an uncertain future.

    Derived terms

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