1. relating to or characteristic of an atavism; showing the reappearance of traits from remote ancestors
Usage: formal; often used in biology and anthropology

Examples

• The atavic features observed in the fossil record suggest a connection to earlier species.
• Some scientists describe certain behavioral patterns as atavic remnants of our evolutionary past.
• The atavic tail-like structure in human embryos disappears during normal development.
• Researchers found atavic characteristics in the skeletal anatomy of the ancient specimen.
• The atavic instinct to hoard resources still influences modern consumer behavior.