How Do You Spell ATAVISTIC?

Pronunciation: [ˌatɐvˈɪstɪk] (IPA)

Atavistic is a complex word when it comes to spelling. The word is pronounced /ˌætəˈvɪstɪk/ and refers to a reunion of traits that have been absent in a family for generations. The word is derived from the Latin word atavus, which means ancestor. It's spelled with two a's, a t, an i, two v's, an s, and a k, which is why it can be a challenge to spell correctly. The word is often used in biology to describe an evolutionary throwback or a trait that has re-emerged.

ATAVISTIC Meaning and Definition

1. Atavistic is an adjective that pertains to the phenomenon of an inherited trait or feature reappearing in an organism after being absent for several generations. Derived from the Latin word "atavus" meaning "ancestor," atavistic relates to the notion of a trait reverting to an ancestral or primitive form. It signifies a throwback to an earlier evolutionary stage or primitive characteristic, contrasting with the prevailing traits seen in the intermediate generations.

   In the biological context, atavistic traits can manifest as physical or behavioral characteristics that were observed in distant ancestors but have diminished or disappeared in subsequent generations due to natural selection or genetic mutation. For instance, atavistic traits could include the reappearance of physical features like extra toes or the expression of instincts or behaviors that were once typical of the organism's ancient predecessors.

   Beyond the realm of biology, atavistic can also be used metaphorically to describe phenomena in human societies. It may refer to a regression to primal or savage behaviors in individuals or groups, highlighting a return to more primitive instincts or patterns of behavior. In this sense, atavistic can describe manifestations of violence, brutality, or other behaviors reminiscent of earlier stages of human or social development.

   Overall, the term atavistic captures the concept of a resurgence or reappearance of ancestral qualities, whether biological or cultural, and signifies a departure from prevailing characteristics in a given individual, species, or society.

2. Atavic, relating to atavism.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for ATAVISTIC

• atristic
• atruistic
• actvistic
• attavistic
• etavistic
• atavistik
• ateliotic
• Latanistic
• atamictic
• atavistick
• utavistic
• Atavistics
• Atanlistic

Etymology of ATAVISTIC

The word "atavistic" derives from the Latin term "atavus", which means "great-great-great-grandfather" or "ancestor". It is formed from the combination of "ad" (meaning "to") and "avus" (meaning "grandfather"). The word "atavistic" was coined in the mid-19th century by the English biologist and comparative anatomist, Sir Richard Owen, to describe the reappearance of ancestral traits in offspring.

Similar spelling words for ATAVISTIC

• atavist,
• atavism.