uniformitarian
/ˌjunəˌfɔrməˈtɛriən/
noun
- A person who believes that the same natural laws and processes that operate today have always operated in the past, especially in geology.
- The uniformitarian argued that ancient rock layers were formed by the same slow erosion we see today.
- Many early geologists were uniformitarians, believing that the present is the key to the past.
- As a uniformitarian, she rejected the idea of sudden catastrophic changes in Earth's history.
Synonyms
Antonyms
adjective
- Relating to the theory that natural processes have been consistent over time, without major catastrophic changes.
- The textbook described the uniformitarian view that Earth changes slowly and steadily.
- The uniformitarian principle is a foundation of modern geology.
- His uniformitarian approach helped explain how rivers carved canyons over millions of years.