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CEFR C2 — Proficiency

Atavistic

Definition

(formal, literary) Relating to or characterised by a return to an earlier or more primitive state, often in a way that is considered to be a reversion to a less advanced or less civilised condition. Typically used to describe instincts, traits, or tendencies that are perceived as being from an earlier time or a more basic level of human evolution.

Example Sentences

1The atavistic fear of snakes is a common phobia that has been observed in many cultures throughout history.
2The novel explores the tension between modernity and atavistic impulses, as embodied in the protagonist's struggle to reconcile his rational and primal selves.
3The discovery of a long-lost relative can evoke atavistic feelings of kinship and belonging, even if the connection is distant.
4Some critics argue that the resurgence of nationalist sentiment in certain countries represents an atavistic rejection of globalisation and multiculturalism.
5The artist's use of primal imagery and symbolism in her work is meant to tap into the viewer's atavistic instincts and evoke a sense of shared humanity.

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