Vestigial
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /vɛˈstɪd͡ʒɪəl/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Vestigial is an adjective meaning Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a trace from the past.
Meaning
Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a trace from the past.
More Meanings
- Not fully developed in mature animals.
- (evolutionary theory) Of a vestigial structure; that has lost all or most of its original function in the course of evolution.
- (evolutionary theory) A small, degenerate, or imperfectly developed part or organ which has been more fully developed in some past generation.
Example Sentences
Remnants of the vascular supply of lost organs may be present in the tissues of the receptacle when all external evidence of the organs has disappeared. Only rarely does the vascular supply of a vestigial organ disappear while external remnants are still present.
Word Forms
- vestigials
Synonyms for vestigial
Depending on context, synonyms include rudimentary, undeveloped.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include rudimentary, undeveloped, reliclike, fossillike, vestlike, artifactual.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.