"*""Descended, with modification"" is a much worse term than ""evolve"" in this context, because (1) it is the more roundabout way of stating the simple fact, (2) it minimizes and pushes under the rug the central importance of evolution to his theory, and (3) it is even less clear a term to most laypeople; to most people, ""descended"" means ""went lower"" and ""modification"" is something that's deliberately imposed, not something that just occurs. ""Evolved"" is an infinitely better choice in this context, though I don't see any reason not to mention ""descent with modification"" as Darwin's preferred term lower in the article. A 21st-century article should use 21st-century terminology, where appropriate, even when describing 19th-century thinkers. The way to remove the implications of ""evolution"" are to use it correctly, not to abandon all use of it altogether!!! That would just be surrendering it to its implications. -  

  
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