Chevalier de Lamarck
1
9.9
- proper noun
- /ʃəˈvæljər də ləˈmɑrk/
- Chevalier de Lamarck believed that organisms could pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring.
Examples
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Chevalier de Lamarck was among the earliest scientists to propose a theory of evolution.
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Chevalier de Lamarck's hypothesis influenced later evolutionary thinkers, even if it was ultimately disproven.
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Many textbooks mention Chevalier de Lamarck in discussions of evolutionary biology.
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Did Chevalier de Lamarck really believe in the inheritance of acquired traits?
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The theory of evolution was influenced by Chevalier de Lamarck.
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Chevalier de Lamarck was one of the first scientists to introduce ideas about how species evolve over time.
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In many biology courses, Chevalier de Lamarck is discussed as a foundational figure in evolutionary theory.
Synonyms
1
9.1
A French scientist who said animals pass on traits they gain to their young
1
8.6
A French scientist who said animals change during life and pass those changes to their young
1
9.9
A French scientist who said animals and plants change over time because parents pass on features they gain
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a French honorific (chevalier) + particle (de) + surname, so a learner who knows the constituents would infer it refers to a titled person named Lamarck—i.e., a knight or gentleman associated with that name. However, the specific sense that this refers to the historical French naturalist and his scientific views (dates, role) cannot be derived from the parts alone, so the transparency is partial.
Etymology
The name Chevalier de Lamarck belonged to a French naturalist whose title 'chevalier' means 'knight'. He suggested that animals could 'pass on traits' they gained in life; for example, he pictured giraffes stretching their necks for food and their young being born with longer necks. So his name now reminds us of that early idea about how species can change.