WILKINS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

• WILKINS (noun)
  The noun WILKINS has 3 senses:

1. United States civil rights leader (1901-1981)

2. Australian who was the first to explore the Arctic by airplane (1888-1958)

3. English biochemist who helped discover the structure of DNA (1916-2004)

  Familiarity information: WILKINS used as a noun is uncommon.

• WILKINS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

United States civil rights leader (1901-1981)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Roy Wilkins; Wilkins

Instance hypernyms:

civil rights activist; civil rights leader; civil rights worker (a leader of the political movement dedicated to securing equal opportunity for members of minority groups)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Australian who was the first to explore the Arctic by airplane (1888-1958)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

George Hubert Wilkins; Wilkins

Instance hypernyms:

adventurer; explorer (someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose))

Sense 3

Meaning:

English biochemist who helped discover the structure of DNA (1916-2004)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins; Maurice Wilkins; Wilkins

Instance hypernyms:

biochemist (someone with special training in biochemistry)

 Context examples 

If he says yes, and asks you where the ashes are, refer him to Wilkins Micawber, and he will hear of something not at all to his advantage!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Let me feel that bow, Wilkins!

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Run, Wilkins,” quoth he, “and fetch me the shield.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I had bought a spotted wooden horse over-night as a parting gift to little Wilkins Micawber—that was the boy—and a doll for little Emma.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It was he and the Seneschal of Beaucaire who hung Peter Wilkins, of the Company, last Lammastide; for which, by the black rood of Waltham! they shall hang themselves, if ever they come into our power.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was my hope when I came here, said Mr. Micawber, to have got Wilkins into the Church: or perhaps I shall express my meaning more strictly, if I say the Choir.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The signatures to this instrument purporting to be executed by Mr. W. and attested by Wilkins Micawber, are forgeries by—HEEP.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Among the votaries of TERPSICHORE, who disported themselves until Sol gave warning for departure, Wilkins Micawber, Esquire, Junior, and the lovely and accomplished Miss Helena, fourth daughter of Doctor Mell, were particularly remarkable.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

“That,” said Mrs. Micawber, “that, at least, is my view, my dear Mr. Copperfield and Mr. Traddles, of the obligation which I took upon myself when I repeated the irrevocable words, “I, Emma, take thee, Wilkins.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Apart from which, said Mrs. Micawber, I will not disguise from you, my dear Master Copperfield, that when that branch of my family which is settled in Plymouth, became aware that Mr. Micawber was accompanied by myself, and by little Wilkins and his sister, and by the twins, they did not receive him with that ardour which he might have expected, being so newly released from captivity.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)