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. Former name (1869–1911): Palmerston. 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)

Darwin

²

/ ˈdɑːwɪn /

noun

1. 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. 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. Sir George Howard , son of Charles Darwin. 1845–1912, English astronomer and mathematician noted for his work on tidal friction

Darwin

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 Word Forms

• anti-Darwin adjective
• pro-Darwin adjective

Example Sentences

Among the many strange biological wonders Charles Darwin observed in his time, one haunted him above all.

From Salon

“One later student of constitutional history compared Beard’s influence to Darwin or Freud.”

From Los Angeles Times

The term “eugenics” was coined in 1883 by Francis Galton, who aimed to apply the findings of his cousin, Charles Darwin, to better society.

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking to Today, McEwan contrasted the contemplative letters of the past - from the likes of Napolean and Darwin - with today's briefer emails, which may miss deeper personal insights.

From BBC

The third count, which the Supreme Court jury in Darwin failed to agree on, involves an allegation that Wright told an associate to "just torch" the helicopter's records.

From BBC