Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
atavism
noun
/ˈæt.ə.vɪ.zəm/
Definition
The tendency to revert to ancestral traits or characteristics.
Examples
- The atavism in the species was evident when the researchers found traits similar to those of its prehistoric relatives.
- Scientists studied the atavism seen in the puppy, which had the fur pattern typical of its great-great-grandparents.
- Atavism can sometimes be observed in human behaviors that harken back to more primal instincts.
Meaning
Atavism refers to a situation where an organism displays traits that were common in its distant ancestors, often skipping generations.
Synonyms
- Reversion
- Relapse
- Throwback
