Definitions for atavisms

atavisms at·a·vism

Spelling: [at-uh-viz-uh m]
IPA: /ˈæt əˌvɪz əm/

Atavisms is a 8 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 12 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 14 points.

You can make 194 anagrams from letters in atavisms (aaimsstv).

Definitions for atavisms

noun

  1. 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.
  2. reversion to an earlier type; throwback.

Origin of atavisms

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

Examples for atavisms

For a short moment he hesitated but atavism and necessity were against him.

This is not atavism, though it may be the outcome of atavism, or arrest of development.

Altogether a good deal of nonsense has been written about atavism.

The word reversion, also, not to say atavism, may well be dropped.

Some of them were mere lads, but one and all had features which suggested the atavism of crime.

I would not omit to mention also the law of atavism, in this discussion of heredity.

It must explain all the facts which constitute what is known as atavism.

This is that atavism which has been so frequently observed in criminals and so much discussed.

I used the word 'atavism' to mean a reversion to the primitive.

Can I explain, can anyone explain, the mysterious vagaries of atavism?

Word Value for atavisms
Scrable

12

Words with friends

14

Similar words for atavisms
Word of the day