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
emancipateto free from restraint, control, or the power of another
balmyhaving the qualities of balm : soothing
waftto move or go lightly on or as if on a buoyant medium
truisman undoubted or self-evident truth
portendto give an omen or anticipatory sign of
stoketo poke or stir up (a fire, flames, etc.) : supply with fuel
squashto press or beat into a pulp or a flat mass : crush
avantgardegroup of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
decapitateto cut off the head of : behead
arduoushard to accomplish or achieve : difficult