The process of change or evolution in organisms or structures occurring in steps or gradations over time.
From Greek 'bathmos' (step) plus the philosophical suffix '-ism'. This term appeared in evolutionary biology and geology to describe stepwise rather than continuous change.
Bathmism is evolution's way of saying 'one step at a time'—instead of smooth gradual change, organisms or features evolve through distinct stages, like how horse hooves evolved from multi-toed feet.
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