evolvability en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English evolve Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Italic *-ðlom 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.
Meanings
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(countable, uncountable) The ability to evolve.
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.
2003, Adrian Woolfson, ‘Genetic Mountaineering’, London Review of Books, volume 25, number 3:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| evolvabilities | Number=Plur | lexicographic |