uniformitarian

[yoo-nuh-fawr-mi-tair-ee-uh n] /ˌyu nəˌfɔr mɪˈtɛər i ən/
adjective
1.
supporting, conforming to, or derived from a theory or doctrine about uniformity, especially on the subject of geology.
2.
Geology. of or relating to the thesis that processes that operated in the remote geological past are not different from those observed now.
noun
3.
a person who accepts or supports a uniformitarian theory.
Origin of uniformitarian
1830-40; uniformit(y) + -arian
Related forms
uniformitarianism, noun
Examples from the web for uniformitarianism
  • All were rooted in uniformitarianism, as the idea was known.
  • They admit the occasional catastrophe, but not enough so as to cause them to utterly throw out uniformitarianism completely.
British Dictionary definitions for uniformitarianism

uniformitarianism

/ˌjuːnɪˌfɔːmɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəm/
noun
1.
the concept that the earth's surface was shaped in the past by gradual processes, such as erosion, and by small sudden changes, such as earthquakes, of the type acting today rather than by the sudden divine acts, such as the flood survived by Noah (Genesis 6–8), demanded by the doctrine of catastrophism

uniformitarian

/ˌjuːnɪˌfɔːmɪˈtɛərɪən/
adjective
1.
of or relating to uniformitarianism
2.
of, characterized by, or conforming to uniformity
noun
3.
a supporter of a theory of uniformity or of uniformitarianism
uniformitarianism in Science
uniformitarianism
  (y'nə-fôr'mĭ-târ'ē-ə-nĭz'əm)   
The theory that all geologic phenomena may be explained as the result of existing forces having operated uniformly from the origin of the Earth to the present time. See Note at Lyell.