Lamarckism

[ luh-mahr-kiz-uhm ]

noun
  1. the Lamarckian theory that characteristics acquired by habit, use, or disuse may be passed on to future generations through inheritance.

Origin of Lamarckism

1
First recorded in 1880–85; Lamarck + -ism

Words Nearby Lamarckism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Lamarckism in a sentence

  • But as Lamarckism will be discussed later on, the issue as between these rival theories need not be debated here.

    Parallel Paths | Thomas William Rolleston
  • The argument against Lamarckism rests on the basis artificial experiment, of observation of nature under normal conditions.

    Parallel Paths | Thomas William Rolleston
  • It is with the contingency of being that criticism of Darwinism and Lamarckism of the dogmatic type has to deal.

  • Here Lamarckism becomes a simple absurdity, just as Darwinism resulted in absurdities elsewhere.

  • His account is a mixture of Lamarckism with the added Darwinian factors of competition and natural selection.

    Lamarck, the Founder of Evolution | Alpheus Spring Packard

British Dictionary definitions for Lamarckism

Lamarckism

/ (lɑːˈmɑːkɪzəm) /


noun
  1. the theory of organic evolution proposed by Lamarck, based on the principle that characteristics of an organism modified during its lifetime are inheritable: See also acquired characteristic, Neo-Lamarckism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012