evolve

Where does the word "evolve" come from? It comes from Latin volvere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Evolve’s story begins in Latin: volvere meant “to roll, to turn.” To roll, to turn, combined with ex- (out). Within Latin, it grew into evolvere by ancient. To unroll, to unfold, from ex- and volvere. It reached English by 1600s as evolve. Settled as the English word for developing gradually over time. Today, evolve means to develop gradually, especially from a simpler to a more complex form.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient volvere "to roll, to turn", to roll, to turn, combined with ex- (out).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient evolvere "to unroll, to unfold", to unroll, to unfold, from ex- and volvere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s evolve "to develop gradually over time", settled as the English word for developing gradually over time.