atavism

atavism definition - medical

at·a·vism (ătˈə-vĭzˌəm)

noun
The appearance of characteristics that are presumed to have been present in some remote ancestor; reversion to an earlier biological type.

Related Forms:

  • atˈa·vist noun

Related Forms:

  • atˌa·visˈtic adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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