Definitions for atavism

atavism at·a·vism

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

Atavism is a 7 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 12 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 14 points.

You can make 153 anagrams from letters in atavism (aaimstv).

Definitions for atavism

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 atavism

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

Examples for atavism

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Word Value for atavism
Scrable

12

Words with friends

14

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