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
decelerateto reduce the speed of : slow down
executionerone who executes
concedeto acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly
suppliantsupplicant
phyluma direct line of descent within a group
calorificcaloric
rareseldom occurring or found : uncommon
knella stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly (as for a death, funeral, or disaster)
placateto soothe or mollify especially by concessions : appease
foregoto go before : precede