SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Survival of the fittest

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/sərvˈaɪvəl əv ðə fˈɪtəst/ Listen

noun

Survival n.

A living or continuing longer than, or beyond the existence of, another person, thing, or event; an outliving.

(Arhaeol. & Ethnol.) Any habit, usage, or belief, remaining from ancient times, the origin of which is often unknown, or imperfectly known. "The close bearing of the doctrine of survival on the study of manners and customs."

Survival of the fittest. (Biol.) See Natural selection, under Natural.

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Etymology of 'Survival of the fittest'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Survival of the fittest" Quotes from Famous Books

... survival of the fittest," said he. "If he had been the better man she would not have deserted him. Let's drop the subject, for I have ...

— Tales of Terror and Mystery • Arthur Conan Doyle

... models which have proved reliable and efficient under normal conditions are unsuited to military operations. The early days of the war enabled those of doubtful value to be eliminated, the result being that those machines which are now in use represent the survival of the fittest. Experience has furthermore emphasised the necessity of reducing the number of types to the absolute minimum. This weeding-out process is being continued and there is no doubt that by the time the war is concluded the ...

— Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War • Frederick A. Talbot

... Darwin's theories, to the effect that nature weeds out the weak and unfit, leaving the others to continue the species; the result is called "the survival of the fittest." ...

— Modern Prose And Poetry; For Secondary Schools - Edited With Notes, Study Helps, And Reading Lists • Various

... that it nearly blin's ye." No doubt some kind of specific was required on such a trying day as Saturday, for it was indeed a clear case of illustrating the old adage, when exclusively applied to man, about the survival of the fittest. There is this about Ibrox Park, however, which certainly recommends it to the impartial spectator—fine even turf, without a flaw, and no advantage even to the home club itself when playing matches. It is well sheltered, and the arrangements for the big ...

— Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches • David Drummond Bone

... all who were conscious of the deeper needs of the Church. What intelligent acquaintance with Darwin's speculations would the world in general have made, except for two or three happy and comprehensive terms, as 'the survival of the fittest,' 'the struggle for existence,' 'the process of natural selection'? Multitudes who else would have known nothing about Comte's system, know something about it when they know that he called ...

— On the Study of Words • Richard C Trench

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