atavism
[ at-uh-viz-uhm ]
/ ˈæt əˌvɪz əm /
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noun
Biology.
- the reappearance in an individual of characteristics of some remote ancestor that have been absent in intervening generations.
- an individual embodying such a reversion.
reversion to an earlier type; throwback.
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Origin of atavism
First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin atav(us) “great-great-great grandfather; remote ancestor, forefather” (at-, akin to atta familiar name for a grandfather, “grampa” + avus “grandfather, ancestor”) + -ism
OTHER WORDS FROM atavism
at·a·vist, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for atavism
British Dictionary definitions for atavism
atavism
/ (ˈætəˌvɪzəm) /
noun
the recurrence in a plant or animal of certain primitive characteristics that were present in an ancestor but have not occurred in intermediate generations
reversion to a former or more primitive type
Derived forms of atavism
atavist, nounatavic (əˈtævɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for atavism
C19: from French atavisme, from Latin atavus strictly: great-grandfather's grandfather, probably from atta daddy + avus grandfather
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for atavism
atavism
[ ăt′ə-vĭz′əm ]
n.
The appearance of characteristics that are presumed to have been present in some remote ancestor; reversion to an earlier biological type.
Other words from atavism
at′a•vist n.at′a•vis′tic adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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