Lamarckian

American  

[luh-mahr-kee-uhn] / ləˈmɑr ki ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Jean de Lamarck or his theory of organic evolution.

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noun

1. a person who holds this theory.

Lamarckian British  

/ lɑːˈmɑːkɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Lamarck

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noun

1. a supporter of Lamarckism

Etymology

Origin of Lamarckian

First recorded in 1840–50; Lamarck + -ian

Example Sentences

In the Lamarckian theory of evolution, changes in species occur not slowly over generational mutations, but within the lifetimes of individual animals.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2019

But biologists are quick to stress that what these organisms show is not true Lamarckian evolution.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 28, 2018

These stories fuelled my imagination about animal origins, albeit in an absurdist Lamarckian fashion.

From The Guardian • Nov. 29, 2016

Whether you’re Darwinian or Lamarckian, you have to ask the question: What’s that information doing in the child if it doesn’t matter?

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2012

He did, indeed, make some concessions to the Lamarckian principle that new characters may be acquired by increased use, and to other “secondary” principles.

From Naturalism And Religion by Otto, Rudolf