UNIFORMITARIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Uniformitarian is an adjective that refers to the principle or belief that the same natural laws and processes that operate today have always operated throughout the history of the Earth. It is a fundamental concept in the field of geology and is closely associated with the study of the Earth's development over time.
The term "uniformitarian" is derived from the key idea that the processes responsible for shaping the Earth's landscapes and geological features can be understood by observing similar processes in action today. This principle suggests that events such as erosion, sedimentation, and volcanic activity have always occurred at relatively constant rates and under similar conditions.
Uniformitarianism assumes that the Earth's physical and geological features can be explained by gradual processes over long periods of time, rather than cataclysmic or supernatural events. It is often contrasted with the concept of catastrophism, which suggests that major geological events are the result of sudden and dramatic upheavals.
Uniformitarian thinking has been influential in shaping modern geology and Earth sciences, as it provides a framework for interpreting geological phenomena and understanding the Earth's history. It allows scientists to make predictions and draw conclusions about past geological events by studying the present-day processes that shape the Earth's surface. However, it is important to note that uniformitarianism is a scientific principle and not an absolute truth, as new evidence or discoveries may challenge or refine the understanding of Earth's processes over time.
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In geol., one who holds the doctrine that the laws of nature have acted uniformly throughout all time past, and that the appearances in the earth's crust, however difficult of solution, are to be ascribed to the uniform action of those laws, and not to revolutionary operations.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for UNIFORMITARIAN
- yniformitarian
- hniformitarian
- jniformitarian
- iniformitarian
- 8niformitarian
- 7niformitarian
- ubiformitarian
- umiformitarian
- ujiformitarian
- uhiformitarian
- unuformitarian
- unjformitarian
- unkformitarian
- unoformitarian
- un9formitarian
- un8formitarian
- unidormitarian
- unicormitarian
- univormitarian
- unigormitarian
Etymology of UNIFORMITARIAN
The word "uniformitarian" has its origins in the field of geology and was first used by the Scottish geologist James Hutton in the late 18th century. It is derived from the Latin word "uniformis", which means "of one form" or "consistent", and the suffix "-arian", which indicates adherence to a certain doctrine or belief.
Hutton's concept of uniformitarianism proposed that the processes that have shaped the Earth's surface in the past can be explained by the same natural laws and processes that are observed today. In other words, the geological changes observed in the present can be used to interpret and understand the Earth's past geological history. This contrasted with the prevailing view at the time, known as catastrophism, which posited that major geological events were caused by sudden and catastrophic events such as floods, earthquakes, or divine interventions.
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