Definition

Proper noun: * A prominent 20th-century scientist: J. B. S. Haldane was a Scottish-born scientist known for his foundational work in genetics, evolutionary biology, and mathematics. He was also a noted science communicator and held strong political views.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The concept of "primordial soup" was proposed by J. B. S. Haldane.
  • In the history of science, J. B. S. Haldane is remembered for his contributions to the modern evolutionary synthesis.
  • The writings of J. B. S. Haldane helped popularize complex scientific ideas for the general public.

Advanced Usage

• "Haldane's rule": A principle in evolutionary biology stating that when in the offspring of two different animal races one sex is absent, rare, or sterile, that sex is the heterogametic sex (the sex with two different sex chromosomes, like males in mammals).
  • The observed hybrid sterility followed Haldane's rule.
• "Haldane principle": A guideline for the organization of scientific research, suggesting that scientists, rather than government administrators, should make decisions about how research funds are spent.
  • The funding agency operates under the Haldane principle.

Variants and Related Words

• Haldane (n): A common shorthand reference for J. B. S. Haldane in scientific literature.
  • Haldane and Fisher developed key models in population genetics.
• Haldanean (adj): Relating to or characteristic of the work or ideas of J. B. S. Haldane.
  • The Haldanean view of evolution emphasized mathematical rigor.

Synonyms

• Scientist: A person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences.
• Geneticist: An expert in or student of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
• Popularizer: A person who makes scientific or academic information accessible to a general audience.

Related Phrases

• "On Being the Right Size": The title of a famous essay by J. B. S. Haldane discussing how the physical size of an animal shapes its biology.
  • In his essay "On Being the Right Size," Haldane explains why insects do not have lungs.

Noun

1. Scottish geneticist (son of John Haldane) who contributed to the development of population genetics; a popularizer of science and a Marxist (1892-1964)