throwback

See also: throw back

English

From throw +‎ back.

throwback (plural throwbacks)

A reversion to an earlier stage of development.
- 1986, Ronald Reagan, Presidential Radio Address - 17 May 1986:
  You see, the House of Representatives recently passed a military budget that is wholly inadequate, a throwback to the seventies, a budget that is a breach of faith with our Armed Forces and our allies and would send exactly the wrong signal to the Soviets and their satellites.
(derogatory) A person considered to be primitive, uncivilized and mentally deficient.
An organism that has characteristics of a more primitive form.
An atavism.
A person similar to an ancestor, or something new similar to what already existed.
- 1901, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chapter 13:
  "But this is marvellous. It might be his portrait."
  "Yes, it is an interesting instance of a throwback, which appears to be both physical and spiritual. A study of family portraits is enough to convert a man to the doctrine of reincarnation. The fellow is a Baskerville—that is evident."

reversion to an earlier stage of development

organism that has characteristics of a more primitive form

atavism — see atavism

someone or something similar