atavism
[ at-uh-viz-uh m ]
/ ˈæt əˌvɪz əm /
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
1825–35; < Latin atav(us) remote ancestor (at-, akin to atta familiar name for a grandfather + avus grandfather, forefather) + -ism
OTHER WORDS FROM atavism
at·a·vist, nounWords nearby atavism
ataraxia, atascadero, ataturk, kemal, atatürk, atavic, atavism, atavistic, ataxia, ataxia telangiectasia, ataxiaphasia, ataxic
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for atavist
British Dictionary definitions for atavist
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
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Medical definitions for atavist
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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