Darwinism

Dar·win·ism  (därw-nzm)

n.

A theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Also called Darwinian theory.

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Darwin·ist n.

Darwin·istic adj.

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Darwinism or Darwinian theory

Noun

the theory of the origin of animal and plant species by evolution [after Charles Darwin, English naturalist]

Darwinian adjn
Darwinist nadj

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Darwinism  (därw-nzm)

A theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Darwin's ideas have been refined and modified by subsequent researchers, but his theories still form the foundation of the scientific understanding of the evolution of life. Darwinism is often contrasted with another theory of biological evolution called Lamarckism, based on the now-discredited ideas of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. See Note at evolution.

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Darwinism

the theory of evolution by natural selection of those species best adapted to survive the struggle for existence. — Darwinian, n., ad).

See also: Evolution

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Darwinism - a theory of organic evolution claiming that new species arise and are perpetuated by natural selection evolutionism, theory of evolution, theory of organic evolution - (biology) a scientific theory of the origin of species of plants and animals neo-Darwinism - a modern Darwinian theory that explains new species in terms of genetic mutations