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Glite Dictionary
Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin

1 3.3
An English scientist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection
  • proper noun
  • /ˈtʃɑrlz ˈdɑrwɪn/
translation icon : Charles Darwin
  • Charles Darwin's observations during his voyage on the HMS Beagle were crucial to his scientific work.
  • Charles Darwin the naturalist
  • Charles Darwin wrote

Examples

  • Charles Darwin revolutionized biology with his theory of evolution by natural selection.

  • Many books have been written about the life and discoveries of Charles Darwin.

  • The work of Charles Darwin continues to influence scientists around the world.

  • Many scientists study Charles Darwin's theories.

  • Did Charles Darwin really propose the theory of evolution?

  • Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution by natural selection during the 19th century.

  • Many people credit Charles Darwin with establishing the principles of natural selection.

Synonyms

Darwin
vsCharles Darwin
68 3.3

An English scientist who explained how living things change by natural selection

is the full formal name used instead of the shorter surname

Surface Forms

Charles Darwin main

Morphology

Charles + Darwin

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person; the biographical meaning (the English naturalist who developed the theory of evolution) is world knowledge and not compositionally derived from the constituents 'Charles' and 'Darwin'. A B1 learner who only knows the words as names would not be able to infer that specific referent or its significance, so the expression is not transparent.

Etymology

Charles Darwin was an English scientist who sailed to islands and watched plants and animals closely, noticing small changes like different beaks on birds. He used these observations to suggest the 'theory of evolution by natural selection', so his name now stands for the idea that species can change over time.