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
elicitto call forth or draw out (something, such as information or a response)
kneadto work and press into a mass with or as if with the hands
raila bar extending from one post or support to another and serving as a guard or barrier
stunto make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow : daze
trothloyal or pledged faithfulness : fidelity
turncoatone who switches to an opposing side or party
metaphora figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money)
bemoanto express deep grief or distress over
centaurany of a race of creatures fabled to be half human and half horse and to live in the mountains of Thessaly
reminiscentof the character of or relating to reminiscence