Definition of ATAVISTIC

atavistic

Meanings

Adjective Satellite

  • characteristic of an atavist

Adj

  • 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.

Origin / Etymology

From atavism + -istic, from French atavisme, from Latin atavus (“ancestor”), from at + avus (“grandfather”).

Scrabble Score: 14

atavistic is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
atavistic is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
atavistic is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

atavistic is a valid Words With Friends word