Atavist: meaning, definitions and examples
๐พ
atavist
[ หรฆtษหvษชst ]
biological concept
An atavist is an individual or organism that exhibits traits or characteristics that are reminiscent of ancestral or earlier forms. This term often refers to the reappearance of genetic traits that have been absent for several generations. Such traits can be physical attributes, behaviors, or instincts that were prevalent in the ancestors of a species. Atavism usually arises due to genetic variations or mutations that might reactivate dormant genes. The concept is frequently discussed in the fields of genetics, biology, and anthropology.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The atavist traits in the dog were surprising to the breeder.
- Scientists studied the atavist features of the ancient species.
- The atavist behavior of the bird amazed the observers.
- Some atavists have been documented in human evolution studies.
Translations
Translations of the word "atavist" in other languages:
๐ต๐น atavista
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคคเคพเคตเคฟเคธเฅเค
๐ฉ๐ช Atavist
๐ฎ๐ฉ atavist
๐บ๐ฆ ะฐัะฐะฒััั
๐ต๐ฑ atavista
๐ฏ๐ต ใขใฟใในใ
๐ซ๐ท ataviste
๐ช๐ธ atavista
๐น๐ท atavist
๐ฐ๐ท ์ํ๋น์คํธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฃุชุงููุณุช
๐จ๐ฟ atavista
๐ธ๐ฐ atavista
๐จ๐ณ ๅค้ไผ ่
๐ธ๐ฎ atavist
๐ฎ๐ธ atavisti
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐัะฐะฒะธัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแขแแแแกแขแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ atavist
๐ฒ๐ฝ atavista
Etymology
The term 'atavist' derives from the Latin word 'atavus', meaning 'ancestor' or 'forefather'. The root 'atavus' is compounded with the suffix '-ist', which denotes a person associated with a specific characteristic or set of beliefs. The idea of atavism emerged in the late 19th century, particularly in the context of evolutionary biology and psychology, to describe the emergence of primitive traits that were once common in earlier generations of a species. The concept gained traction in various scientific discussions, particularly those surrounding the theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin. Over time, 'atavist' has been applied in broader contexts, including literature and art, to denote aspects that evoke or link back to earlier, often more primitive, states of being.