Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
atavistic
adjective
/ˌætəˈvɪstɪk/
Definition
relating to or denoting an ancestral form or character; resembling or reverting to an earlier or more primitive state.
Examples
- The atavistic behavior of some animals can reveal insights into their evolutionary history.
- She felt an atavistic pull towards the traditions of her ancestors.
- The artist’s work had an atavistic quality, echoing styles from centuries ago.
Meaning
The term ‘atavistic’ refers to a tendency to revert to an earlier or more primitive state, as if showing characteristics of an ancestor.
Synonyms
- primitive
- ancestral
- regressive
- reversionary
