atavistic

[ at-uh-vis-tik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by atavism; reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type.

atavistic

/ ăt′ə-vĭs′tĭk /

1. Relating to an inherited trait that reappears in an individual after being absent from a strain of organism for several generations. Atavistic traits were formerly thought to be throwbacks to ancestral types but are now known to be due to the inheritance of a pair of recessive genes.

Other Words From

• ata·visti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of atavistic¹

First recorded in 1870–75; atav(ism) + -istic

Example Sentences

This is because puzzles train us to be more rigorous thinkers, less swayed by atavistic emotions.

From Time

Sitting face to face with a Satmar man schooling her in atavistic Satmar rules was the last place she wanted to be.

From The Daily Beast

These councils have been seeking amendments in the Hindu Marriage Act to support their atavistic views.

From The Daily Beast

The anxiety over immigrants is partly rational, partly atavistic.

From The Daily Beast

These atavistic triggers, however, aren't very satisfying explanations taken alone.

From The Daily Beast

This return to something more primitive is an unhealthy atavistic tendency and makes for both racial and individual inferiority.

From Project Gutenberg

Deering was very human and fought against an atavistic shrinking from the dark and loneliness.

From Project Gutenberg

My spine, too, like Conlon's, registered an authentic shiver of protest and atavistic fear.

From Project Gutenberg

War is old--atavistic, a confession of failure, evidence of retrogression.

From Project Gutenberg

The probability, in this case, is that the atavistic variety will find its way into a pie, instead of being kept as a pet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crude
• rough
• rudimentary
• simple
• uncivilized