atavistic
From WikiWord, the free dictionary
/æt.əˈvɪs.tɪk/
English
Definitions
adjective
- Of the recurrence of a trait reappearing after an absence of one or more generations due to a chance recombination of genes.
- Of a throwback or exhibiting primitivism.
- Relating to earlier, more primitive behavior that returns after an absence.
Related words
Synonyms
atavisticalthrowbackregressiveancestralthrowbackssecondaryhomeochronousperipatricautozygoussite-faithfulhomochronousidioadaptivetetraparalogousplesiomorphicapomorphousiteroparouscongenetic