n. [ It. calamari, fr. LL. calamarium inkstand, fr. L. calamus a reed pen: cf. F. calmar, calemar, pen case, calamar. ] (Cookery) Squid, used as a food; -- from the Italian word. See Squid. [ PJC ]
n. [ Convallaria + L. amarus bitter. ] (Chem.) A white, crystalline, poisonous substance, regarded as a glucoside, extracted from the lily of the valley (Convallaria Majalis). Its taste is first bitter, then sweet. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Pertaining to, or involved in, the doctrines of Lamarckianism. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Biol.) Lamarckism. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ From Lamarck, a distinguished French naturalist. ] (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. It is a discredited theory, not believed by modern biologists. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]
n. (Biol.) Lamarckism as revived, modified, and expounded by recent biologists, esp. as maintaining that the offspring inherits characters acquired by the parent from change of environment, use or disuse of parts, etc.; -- opposed of