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.

Words nearby atavism

ataraxia, atascadero, ataturk, kemal, atatürk, atavic, atavism, atavistic, ataxia, ataxia telangiectasia, ataxiaphasia, ataxic

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, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for atavist

This article is excerpted from American Hippopotamus, a recent single from The Atavist.
Lake Bacon: The Story of The Man Who Wanted Us to Eat Mississippi Hippos|Jon Mooallem|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a few generations the atavist and the genius have bred back to the average level.
Not Guilty|Robert Blatchford
But, if the prisoner is an atavist it is his nature to be furious and cruel.
Not Guilty|Robert Blatchford
For it is not a fault, but a misfortune, to be born an atavist.
Not Guilty|Robert Blatchford

Environment cannot make a model citizen of the "born criminal," or atavist.
Not Guilty|Robert Blatchford
It puts to death with the same ruthless equality the prophet and the atavist.
The Joyful Heart|Robert Haven Schauffler

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), adjective

Word 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine 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.