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

/ əˈtævɪk; ˈætəˌvɪzəm /

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

He’s all too ready, he’s been waiting to ascend the throne so long that at times in his behavior and manner he seems older than his mother, to have floated back into some haven of atavism that is far more agreeable than the twenty-first century.

From The Daily Beast

No democratic state can tolerate this kind of self-segregation and religious atavism funded at public expense.

From The Daily Beast

"Atavism can hardly explain a roaming animal with teeth and claws and sanguinary instincts," interrupted Maloney with impatience.

From Project Gutenberg

Atavism, perhaps, the content to be just man again, following mans instinct to survive among the fittest.

From Project Gutenberg

Perforce, because he was born in our horde he stayed with us; but in actuality he was an atavism and his place was elsewhere.

From Project Gutenberg

The instinct of love is, I suppose, so fiercely primitive in us that under its tyranny we are subjected to some moral atavism.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, I've got a lake up there in which we can indulge in a little atavism to the fish stage of evolution.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• backsliding
• relapse