Darwinian Theory
Preserved but no longer current.
Charles Darwin (1809-82) published in 1859 Origin of Species, to prove that the numerous species now existing on the earth sprang originally from one or at most a few primal forms; and that the present diversity is due to special development and natural selection. In recent times the Darwinian theory has undergone very con- siderable modification but it is still the basis of scientific research. See EVOLUTION.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Darwinian Theory” mean?
Charles Darwin (1809-82) published in 1859 Origin of Species, to prove that the numerous species now existing on the earth sprang originally from one or at most a few primal forms; and that the present diversity is due to special development and natural selection. In recent times the Darwinian theory has undergone very con- siderable modification but it is still the basis of scientific research. See EVOLUTION.
Is “Darwinian Theory” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.