Kallikak

noun

Kal·li·kak | \ ˈkaləˌkak \

plural -s

Definition of Kallikak

: a stupid person rubber masks by means of which an ordinary citizen can transform himself into demon, witch … Kallikak, bumpkin— Bernard Wolfe — compare jukes

History and Etymology for Kallikak

Kallikak, fictitious name of a family having one branch consisting mainly of intelligent and successful persons and another branch containing a large proportion of mentally deficient and immoral persons that was studied by H. H. Goddard †1957 American psychologist, from Greek kalli- calli- + kak- cac-