GRE Word List

ATAVISM

recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usually due to genetic recombination

The meaning of the word atavism is recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usually due to genetic recombination.

Random words

WordMeaning
shunto avoid deliberately and especially habitually
cantthe expression or repetition of conventional or trite opinions or sentiments
plaintiveexpressive of suffering or woe : melancholy
rarefiedbeing less dense
pantomimepantomimist
loftan upper room or floor : attic
bastarda child born to parents who are not married to each other
coronera usually elected public officer who is typically not required to have specific medical qualifications and whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes compare medical examiner
diurnalactive chiefly in the daytime
thwartto oppose successfully : defeat the hopes or aspirations of