centaurismとは 意味・読み方・使い方

発音

• IPA: /ˈsɛn.tɔ.ɹɪ.zəm/

名詞

centaurism (uncountable)

1. (speculative evolution) The evolution of a creature with at least three pairs of legs evolving to give rise to a descendant where the frontmost pair of legs is raised from the ground, no longer being used in locomotion and freeing them up for other activities.
   • 2009 February 8, Gert van Dijk, “The goumoun, or 'Centaurism I'”, in Furahan Biology and Allied Matters‎:

     While thinking about the concept of freeing a frontal pair of legs from locomotion, it struck me that I was unaware of a name for this evolutionary trick. This event has occurred on Earth quite a few times on Earth, but does not seem to have a name. If there is indeed no name for it (and please tell me if I am wrong!) one must be invented: let's call it 'centaurism'.