atavism

at·a·vism

noun \ˈat-ə-ˌviz-əm\

Definition of ATAVISM

1

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

2

: an individual or character manifesting atavism : throwback

—at·a·vis·tic \ˌat-ə-ˈvis-tik\ adjective

—at·a·vis·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb