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
glitterto shine by reflection with many small flashes of brilliant light : sparkle
astutehaving or showing shrewdness and an ability to notice and understand things clearly : mentally sharp or clever
banteringto speak to or address in a witty and teasing manner
whima capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind : fancy
carapacea bony or chitinous case or shield covering the back or part of the back of an animal (such as a turtle or crab)
debilitateto impair the strength of : enfeeble
mementosomething that serves to warn or remind
overtopen to view : manifest
tarantulaany of various large, typically ground-dwelling, hairy, mygalomorph spiders (family Theraphosidae) of warm regions that possess venomous fangs used to subdue and kill prey (such as insects, centipedes, frogs, and mice) caught by ambush or chase and that construct silk-lined burrows but do not build webs to trap food
graduateto receive an academic degree or diploma