throwback
Biology.
the reversion to an ancestral or earlier type or character; atavism.
an individual having the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type; an example of atavism.
a person or thing that evokes memories or imitates something from the past (often used attributively): These chandeliers are designed as a throwback to those old-style candlelit lanterns.On their anniversary, she took to social media with a throwback photo from their wedding reception.
an act of throwing back: A sudden ban on fish throwbacks could harm ecosystems, since a range of predator species are reliant on discarded fish as a food source.
a setback or check.
Origin of throwback
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use throwback in a sentence
The heat was intense, so that the men and lads who ran in to throw back half-consumed ends did so with their faces averted.
Mushroom Town | Oliver OnionsIf, then, we regard Zoroaster as being the founder of the Magi, we must throw back his epoch considerably further than this date.
Ancient Faiths And Modern | Thomas InmanHe started forth telling his comrades he would throw back a shoe if he needed help from his dog.
Mighty Mikko | Parker FillmoreNow and anon some one in the street would throw back a taunt to these British sentiments, which went unheeded.
Richard Carvel, Complete | Winston ChurchillThe mauve summits of the Simplon and the reflets of the mirrored lake throw back a penetrating shimmer to the view.
Italian Highways and Byways from a Motor Car | Francis Miltoun
British Dictionary definitions for throwback
/ (ˈθrəʊˌbæk) /
a person, animal, or plant that has the characteristics of an earlier or more primitive type
a reversion to such an organism
(intr) to revert to an earlier or more primitive type
(tr foll by on) to force to depend (on): the crisis threw her back on her faith in God
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with throwback
Hinder the progress of, check, as in His illness threw his schooling back a year, or The troops were thrown back by a barrage of fire. [First half of 1800s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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