Kallikak

American  

[kal-i-kak] / ˈkæl ɪˌkæk /

noun

1. the fictitious name of an actual family that was the focus of a sociological study: one branch of feeble-minded descendants were mostly social degenerates, while another branch with descendants of normal intelligence were mostly successful.

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Etymology

Origin of Kallikak

< Greek kalli- calli- + kak- ( see caco-)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Kallikak

Both clans were descendants of Martin Kallikak, a soldier in the Revolution.

From Time Magazine Archive

The record is that of six generations of descendants from an original progenitor to whom the fictitious name of Kallikak has been assigned.

From Being Well-Born An Introduction to Eugenics by Michael F. Guyer

Kallikak family, results of environment rather than heredity shown by, 249.

From Crime: Its Cause and Treatment by Clarence Darrow

I have finished the Kallikak family and I am bursting with talk.

From Dear Enemy by Jean Webster

If you are really hurt, I will read the Kallikak book; but I must tell you that you are working me to death.

From Dear Enemy by Jean Webster