用よう不ふ用よう説せつ

noun

Lamarckian theory of use and disuse

A technical term in evolutionary biology referring to Lamarck's idea that organs or traits strengthen with use and weaken or disappear with disuse, and that these acquired characteristics can be inherited. Rare in everyday language; used mainly in academic or historical contexts.

See also: ラマルク説

• 用よう不ふ用よう説せつは、キリンの首くびが長ながくなった理り由ゆうを説せつ明めいするためにラマルクが提てい唱しょうした。

  The theory of use and disuse was proposed by Lamarck to explain why the giraffe's neck became long.