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A Word A Day : Atavism
Monday, 26th November 2007 : Today's Word is ...
Atavism
Pronunciation : átta-vìzzem
1. The reappearance of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence, usually caused by the chance recombination of genes
2. An individual or a part that exhibits atavism
3. The return of a trait or recurrence of previous behavior after a period of absence
4. An organism showing atavism
Mid-19th century - French atavisme - Latin atavus - beyond a grandfather - avus - grandfather
• In our day we have progressed to a point where such sentiments mark weakness and atavism.
• Perhaps some deeprooted atavism urges the wanderer back to lands which his ancestors left in the dim beginnings of history.
1. atavist: Noun
2. atavistic: Adjective
3. atavistically: Adverb
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