I found this fine word in the interesting and well-written book Not in Our Classrooms, edited by Eugenie C. Scott and Glenn Branch.
Atavistic (at-UH-vis-tik) [French atavisme, from Latin atavus, ancestor: atta, father + avus, grandfather]
adj.
- Of, pertaining to, or characterized by atavism; reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type.
- The reappearance of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence, usually caused by the chance recombination of genes.
- An individual or a part that exhibits atavism. Also; throwback.
- The return of a trait or recurrence of previous behavior after a period of absence.
Usage: According to one picture, the warriors for science appear to be dispassionate champions of uncompromising civility and truth, while warriors for religion appear to be atavistic throwbacks to premodern ignorance.
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Thanks for the kind words!
You will perhaps be amused to learn that I included the word anodyne in a piece I wrote for Seed a few years ago.
you should check back becasue there will be a book review that is forthcoming, after i get out of the hospital and have regular computer access once more.