Darwin

[ dahr-win ]

noun

1. Charles (Robert), 1809–82, English naturalist and author.
2. his grandfather Erasmus, 1731–1802, English naturalist and poet.
3. a seaport in and the capital of Northern Territory, in N Australia.

Darwin

¹

/ ˈdɑːwɪn /

noun

1. DarwinCharles (Robert)18091882MEnglishSCIENCE: naturalist Charles ( Robert ). 1809–82, English naturalist who formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection, expounded in On the Origin of Species (1859) and applied to man in The Descent of Man (1871)
2. DarwinErasmus17311802MEnglishMEDICINE: physicianWRITING: poet his grandfather, Erasmus. 1731–1802, English physician and poet; author of Zoonomia, or the Laws of Organic Life (1794–96), anticipating Lamarck's views on evolution
3. DarwinSir George Howard18451912MEnglishSCIENCE: astronomerSCIENCE: mathematician Sir George Howard , son of Charles Darwin. 1845–1912, English astronomer and mathematician noted for his work on tidal friction

Darwin

²

/ ˈdɑːwɪn /

noun

1. a port in N Australia, capital of the Northern Territory: destroyed by a cyclone in 1974 but rebuilt on the same site. Pop: 71 347 (2001) Former name (1869–1911)Palmerston

Darwin

/ där′wĭn /

1. British naturalist who proposed the theory of evolution based on natural selection (1858). Darwin's theory, that random variation of traits within an individual species can lead to the development of new species, revolutionized the study of biology.

Other Words From

• anti-Darwin adjective
• pro-Darwin adjective

Biography

The flora and fauna of the Galápagos Archipelago, a group of islands 650 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, provided the inspiration for Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, which outlined his theory of evolution. Although Darwin spent some time studying medicine and later prepared for the clergy, graduating in 1828 from Christ's College, Cambridge, he couldn't deny his interest in geology and natural history. He spent five years (1831–36) as a naturalist aboard the HMS Beagle on an exploration of South America and Australia. In September 1835 the Beagle reached the Galápagos Archipelago. “This archipelago,” Darwin wrote, “seems to be a little world within itself, the greater number of its inhabitants, both vegetable and animal, being found nowhere else.” Darwin observed 26 species of birds, only one of which was known to exist anywhere else, as well as giant tortoises and other unusual reptiles. Each species, he observed, was uniquely adapted to the particular island on which it lived. Upon his return to England, Darwin refined his notes and continued to make scientific observations, this time of his own garden and of the animals kept by his family. In 1859, after 23 years of sustained work, he published On the Origin of Species, in which he argued that traits such as size and color vary from species to species and that individual variations of these traits are passed down from parents to offspring. More progeny are produced than there is available sustenance. Variations that contribute more successfully to attracting a mate and reproducing are passed down to more offspring, eventually influencing the entire species. Through this process of natural selection, the highly complex species of today gradually evolved from earlier, simpler organisms.

Example Sentences

As a young man, Darwin was deeply religious and even considered being ordained.

From The Daily Beast

Darwin was a British Scientist who developed the theory of evolution and natural selection.

From The Daily Beast

Darwin was among the many scientists that have helped society evolve out of mysticism, superstition and faith.

From The Daily Beast

Darwin called the same phenomenon the “correlation of growth” and geneticist today study what they call “pleiotropic effects.”

From The Daily Beast

Aristotle did make progress beyond earlier philosophers, just as Darwin advanced beyond Linnaeus and Cuvier.

From The Daily Beast

Darwin's view that it may have been a result of sexual selection seems the most probable explanation.

From Project Gutenberg

As regards the pointed ear of man's probable ancestor, Darwin calls attention to what seems a trace in man of the lost tip.

From Project Gutenberg

It is unreasonable to accuse Mr. Darwin (as has been done) of violating the rules of Induction.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Darwin's remarkable speculation on the Origin of Species is another unimpeachable example of a legitimate hypothesis.

From Project Gutenberg

After a silence I asked him if he would tell me why he had chosen Darwin as a literary pastime.

From Project Gutenberg