a. [ From the name of Charles Darwin, an English scientist. ] Pertaining to Darwin; as, the Darwinian theory, a theory of the manner and cause of the supposed development of living things from certain original forms or elements. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This theory was put forth by Darwin in 1859 in a work entitled “The Origin of species by Means of Natural Selection.” The author argues that, in the struggle for existence, those plants and creatures best fitted to the requirements of the situation in which they are placed are the ones that will live; in other words, that Nature selects those which are to survive. This is the theory of natural selection or the survival of the fittest. He also argues that natural selection is capable of modifying and producing organisms fit for their circumstances. See Development theory, under Development. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An advocate of Darwinism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Darwinism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Biol.) The theory or doctrines put forth by Darwin. See above. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The theory which holds natural selection, as explained by Darwin, to be the chief factor in the evolution of plants and animals, and denies the inheritance of acquired characters; -- esp. opposed to Neo-Lamarckism. Weismannism is an example of extreme Neo-Darwinism. -- Ne`o-Dar*win"i*an, a. & n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]