evolve [L16th] The word evolve was first used in the general sense ‘make more complex, develop’. It comes from Latin evolvere, from e- (a variant of ex-) ‘out of’ and volvere ‘to roll’, also the source of evolution, from the same period. Early senses of evolve related to physical movement, first recorded as a tactical ‘wheeling’ manoeuvre in the realignment of troops or ships. Current senses stem from a notion of ‘opening out’ and ‘unfolding’, giving rise to a general sense of ‘development’.