vestigial

[ ve-stij-ee-uh l, -stij-uh l ]
/ vɛˈstɪdʒ i əl, -ˈstɪdʒ əl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR vestigial ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or of the nature of a vestige: a vestigial tail.

Origin of vestigial

1880–85; < Latin vestīgi(um) vestige + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM vestigial

ves·tig·i·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby vestigial

vestibuloplasty, vestibulospinal reflex, vestibulotomy, vestibulum, vestige, vestigial, vestigial organ, vestigium, vestimentiferan, vesting, vestmannaeyjar

Words related to vestigial

veiled, underlying, lurking, inherent, unrealized, smoldering, suppressed, simple, naive, rudimentary, underdeveloped, unsophisticated, undeveloped, elementary, primitive, embryonic, elemental, leftover, outstanding, surviving

Example sentences from the Web for vestigial

British Dictionary definitions for vestigial

vestigial
/ (vɛˈstɪdʒɪəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or being a vestige
(of certain organs or parts of organisms) having attained a simple structure and reduced size and function during the evolution of the species the vestigial pelvic girdle of a snake

Derived forms of vestigial

vestigially, adverb

Medical definitions for vestigial

vestigial
[ vĕ-stĭj′ē-əl, -stĭj′əl ]

adj.

Occurring or persisting as a rudimentary or degenerate structure.

Scientific definitions for vestigial

vestigial
[ vĕ-stĭj′ē-əl ]

Relating to a body part that has become small and lost its use because of evolutionary change. Whales, for example, have small bones located in the muscles of their body walls that are vestigial bones of hips and hind limbs.