throwback

[throh-bak]

noun

1. Biology.

   1. the reversion to an ancestral or earlier type or character; atavism.

   2. an individual having the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type; an example of atavism.

2. a person or thing that evokes memories or imitates something from the past (often used attributively): On their anniversary, she took to social media with a throwback photo from their wedding reception.

   These chandeliers are designed as a throwback to those old-style candlelit lanterns.

   On their anniversary, she took to social media with a throwback photo from their wedding reception.

3. an act of throwing back.

   A sudden ban on fish throwbacks could harm ecosystems, since a range of predator species are reliant on discarded fish as a food source.

4. a setback or check.

throwback

/ ˈθrəʊˌbæk /

noun

1. 1. a person, animal, or plant that has the characteristics of an earlier or more primitive type

   2. a reversion to such an organism

verb

1. (intr) to revert to an earlier or more primitive type

2. to force to depend (on)

   the crisis threw her back on her faith in God

Word History and Origins

Origin of throwback¹

First recorded in 1855–60; 1915–20 throwback for def. 1; noun use of verb phrase throw back

Example Sentences

His journey to cricket's summit is a throwback – a far cry from academy pathways and state under-age teams.

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The language is a throwback to China’s aggressive “wolf warrior” style of diplomacy of a decade ago that Beijing had in recent years toned down.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Or the yellow Formica kitchen, with its Pyrex hot plate, wall-mounted radio, original Eames barstools and drop-leaf dining table still intact — all charming throwbacks to a simpler time.

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His rise from non-league prodigy in the eighth tier of English football to potential international star is a proper throwback, a story rarely told in the modern game.

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They had been really in the doldrums, but to see that guy out there warming up in the bullpen — I mean, that is throwback stuff, man.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• estate 
• gift 
• tradition