The reappearance of a trait or characteristic of an ancestor that has been absent in intermediate generations.
When Maria saw her baby’s unusual dimples, she learned they came from her great-grandmother. This kind of atavism made Maria feel close to her family history. Atavism is when a trait from older relatives shows up again because of how genes mix together.
Little Timmy's sudden fear of water, a phobia his parents never had, seemed like an atavism. It was as if a long forgotten ancestor's terror had resurfaced, appearing in him for no clear reason, a strange echo from the past.
Jake stared at the jagged scar on his hand, a reminder of his grandfather's hunting skills suddenly emerging in his own reflexes. This atavism caught him off guard, a primal instinct surfacing during last week's camping trip when he'd tracked and skinned a rabbit with surprising ease, just like his ancestors once did.
When Gary looked in the mirror and saw his big, bushy, unibrow, his mom laughed and said it was atavism—great-great-grandpa Boris had eyebrows so wild, birds tried to nest in them. Somehow, thanks to genetic recombination, Gary was now the family’s official eyebrow legend.
My uncle Fred's newfound love for collecting lint and his uncanny ability to communicate with squirrels seemed like a strange atavism. It was as if he'd regressed to a furry ancestor, chattering and hoarding fluff. We just hoped it wouldn't spread.
As she examined her family's old photo albums, Sarah couldn't help but notice a striking resemblance between herself and her great-grandmother. She marveled at how the same sharp features and piercing blue eyes seemed to reappear in each generation, a clear example of the mysterious phenomenon known as atavism.
Dr. Carter examined the genetic anomalies in the child, noting with fascination an atavism that manifested as an unusually pronounced prehensile tail. The trait, which had disappeared in human evolution millions of years ago, had unexpectedly re-emerged in this young individual. It seemed like a testament to the capricious nature of genetic inheritance, a reminder of the ancestral forms that had shaped the human lineage.
In the dimly lit room, the creature's eyes gleamed with a primal hunger, its long claws scraping against the walls. A chilling howl echoed through the air, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who dared to listen. It was as if a long-forgotten beast had been awakened within its twisted form, an atavism of pure terror. The creature's movements were swift and savage, a reminder of the ancient horrors that lurked in the shadows of the world. And as it drew closer, its inhuman features twisted in a grotesque display of violence, the true nature of its atavistic origins became clear.
The doctor's words hung heavy in the air like a cursed omen. "Atavism," he uttered, his voice carrying the weight of dreadful knowledge. Emily's face twisted in horror. Her child - a throwback to a forgotten past, a nightmare resurrected. Sharp teeth and piercing claws marked the return of an ancient evil, an atavistic torment from a time when darkness roamed free.
In the ancient forest, the young elf displayed an atavism that puzzled her elders. Her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, reminiscent of the long-lost forest spirits. Whispers of her connection to the old ways spread like wildfire through the village. Some feared her power, while others saw her as a sign of hope for their dwindling race. As she embraced her heritage, the atavism within her grew stronger, unlocking hidden abilities and memories of a time long forgotten. The elders knew that her presence heralded a new era, where the ancient ways would once again be honored and revered.
When Maria noticed a patch of white fur on her black kitten, she was surprised. The vet explained it was atavism: a trait from a distant ancestor showing up because of genetic recombination. Learning this made Maria feel connected to her pet’s mysterious family history.
He watched his son, usually so quiet, suddenly roar with a primal joy, climbing the furniture like a wild thing. It was an atavism, a ghost from their distant ancestors, a fleeting but powerful echo of a forgotten past that surfaced in this unexpected outburst.
Dr. Rodriguez studied the wolf's unusual coat pattern, noting how its markings resembled those of prehistoric canines. This atavism fascinated her, revealing how ancient genetic codes could suddenly resurface, transforming the animal's appearance and connecting it to distant ancestral forms through a single, unexpected trait.
When Jerry sprouted a tiny tail at age thirty, his doctor explained it was simple atavism—a quirky recurrence in which a trait once common among ancient ancestors returns due to genetic recombination. Jerry, however, worried he’d soon crave bananas and a swing set.
Barnaby's insistence on wearing his suspenders and flat cap, despite living in the 21st century, was quite the atavism. His genetic recombination must have stirred up a penchant for 1930s vaudeville performers, a rather anachronistic but undeniably charming trait.
When the child was born with an unexpectedly prominent jaw, the family’s reaction was one of astonishment. The doctor explained that atavism sometimes causes a trait from a distant ancestor to reappear, a result of genetic recombination beyond anyone’s prediction or control.
The child’s startlingly blue eyes, a shade identical to her great-grandmother’s, surfaced unexpectedly. It was a peculiar atavism, a trait reappearing after generations, a genetic echo of a distant ancestor manifesting anew in this child.
His massive hands and pronounced brow spoke of an atavism from prehistoric ancestors, a genetic throwback that made him seem more Neanderthal than modern man. When he moved, it was with a primal grace that suggested survival skills honed through millennia of hunting and struggle.
At the family reunion, Aunt Mabel’s sudden sprouting of a prodigious monobrow was met with astonishment, but Grandpa declared it atavism—a bizarre recurrence of a trait from their Neanderthal ancestors, likely due to the capricious capers of genetic recombination, rather than her rumored overindulgence in experimental eyebrow serums.
Barnaby, a notoriously corpulent marmot, exhibited a perplexing atavism: despite a diet exclusively of artisanal cheeses, he’d periodically sprout rudimentary fur tufts, reminiscent of his Pleistocene ancestors’ hirsute magnificence. This genetic throwback, much to his dismay and his butler’s consternation, rendered his tailored waistcoats utterly superfluous.
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