at‧a‧vis‧tic /ˌætəˈvɪstɪk◂/
adjective formal[
Date: 1800-1900;
Origin: atavism 'being like ancestors' (19-21 centuries), from French atavisme, from Latin atavus 'ancestor']
atavistic feelings are very basic human feelings that people have felt since humans have existed
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲