atavism

[ at-uh-viz-uhm ]

noun

1. Biology.
   1. the reappearance in an individual of characteristics of some remote ancestor that have been absent in intervening generations.
   2. an individual embodying such a reversion.
2. reversion to an earlier type; throwback.

atavism

/ ˈætəˌvɪzəm; əˈtævɪk /

noun

1. the recurrence in a plant or animal of certain primitive characteristics that were present in an ancestor but have not occurred in intermediate generations
2. reversion to a former or more primitive type

Derived Forms

• atavic, adjective
• ˈatavist, noun

Other Words From

• ata·vist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of atavism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of atavism¹

C19: from French atavisme, from Latin atavus strictly: great-grandfather's grandfather, probably from atta daddy + avus grandfather

Example Sentences

Democrats treated patriotism as an unpleasant atavism that we need to get over.

From Salon

They think illiberal authoritarianism — “made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science,” to quote Winston Churchill — is the wave of the future, not an atavism from the past.

From Seattle Times

A fervent believer in atavism, he was particularly drawn to the fine-tuned measurement of the skull as an indicator of the savage proclivities of man.

From Salon

That a word we now perceive as benign would have such macabre origins is a reminder that we don’t live terribly far removed from superstition and atavism, either historically or psychologically.

From New York Times

I don’t have to explain the problems with this demeaning atavism.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• backsliding
• relapse