lamarckism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a theory of organic evolution claiming that acquired characteristics are transmitted to offspring

WordNet

La"marck"ism noun
Etymology
From Lamarck, a distinguished French naturalist.
Definitions
  1. (Biol.) The theory that structural variations, characteristic of species and genera, are produced in animals and plants by the direct influence of physical environments, and esp., in the case of animals, by effort, or by use or disuse of certain organs.

Webster 1913