\Dar*win"i*an\, 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.
Note: 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}.

\Dar*win"i*an\, n.
An advocate of Darwinism.