atavist

at·a·vism

A a

Definitions of atavist word

noun atavist Biology. the reappearance in an individual of characteristics of some remote ancestor that have been absent in intervening generations. an individual embodying such a reversion. 1
noun atavist reversion to an earlier type; throwback. 1
noun atavist A genetic characteristic emerging after absence from several generations. 1

before 1825

One of the 37% newest English words

1825-35; < Latin atav(us) remote ancestor (at-, akin to atta familiar name for a grandfather + avus grandfather, forefather) + -ism

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 73% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

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