Throwback (Noun)

Meaning ¹

A reappearance of an earlier characteristic.

Classification

Nouns denoting natural events.

Synonyms

• Atavism
• Reversion

Hypernyms

• Recurrence
• Return

Meaning ²

An organism that has the characteristics of a more primitive type of that organism.

Classification

Nouns denoting people.

Examples

• The coelacanth is a throwback to the ancient fish that once dominated the oceans.
• Scientists consider the tuatara a throwback to the reptiles that lived during the time of the dinosaurs.
• The axolotl is a throwback to the ancient salamanders that lived during the time of the dinosaurs.
• The lamprey is a throwback to the jawless fish that lived over 360 million years ago.
• The horseshoe crab is a throwback to the ancient marine arthropods that lived during the Paleozoic era.

Synonyms

• Atavist

Hypernyms

• Organism