Darwinism

noun6

1. •
   Charles Darwin's theory regarding the evolution of living organisms through natural selection (set out chiefly in his works On the Origin of Species, 1859; and The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, 1871); also, belief in this theory.
2. •
   Any of various theories in biology which apply aspects of Darwin's theory such as adaptation, competition, or gradual evolution; also, belief in such a theory.
3. •
   Any of various theories, now generally discredited, which apply aspects of Darwin's theory to other situations such as the development of ideas, organizations, or social groups.
4. •
   Short for neo-Darwinism (“the synthesis of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection with the modern genetic understanding of heredity”).
5. •
   A process of gradual evolution; also, ruthless competition for achievement or survival.
6. •
   (historical) Erasmus Darwin's poetic style, or theory of natural philosophy suggesting that living organisms developed from simpler lifeforms (set out in his work Zoonomia, 1794–1796).