neo-Lamarckism
/ˌniːə(ʊ)ləˈmɑːkɪz(ə)m/ /ˌniːə(ʊ)laˈmɑːkɪz(ə)m/Biology. Now chiefly historical
noun
Any of various theories of evolution which seek to retain Lamarck's idea that heritable variation can be caused by environmental influence during the life of an organism (inheritance of acquired characteristics), contrary to the usual assumptions of neo-Darwinian theory.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in American Naturalist. From neo- + Lamarckism.