Vestigial Meaning in English
word
vəˈstɪdʒiəɫ
vuh-STIJ-ee-ul
vˈɛstɪdʒəl
veh-STIJ-uhl
Definition
Describes something, often a body part or feature, that has lost most or all of its original function through evolution or change.
Usage & Nuances
Used mainly in scientific or academic contexts, especially biology. Common phrase: 'vestigial organ'. Can also refer metaphorically to things that remain but are no longer useful.
Spanish: vestigial - residualPortuguese (BR): vestigial - vestigial (biologia) - residualPortuguese (PT): vestigial - vestigial (biologia) - residualChinese (Simplified): 退化的 - 残留的Chinese (Traditional): 退化的 - 殘留的Hindi: अवशेषीArabic: أثري - متبقي (علم الأحياء)Bengali: অবশেষী - অপর্যাপ্তভাবে ব্যবহৃতRussian: рудиментарныйJapanese: 痕跡の - 痕跡的なVietnamese: thoái hóa - còn sót lại (bộ phận không còn chức năng)Korean: 흔적의 - 퇴화한Turkish: kalmış - fosilleşmiş (biyoloji bağlamında)Urdu: بے مصرف - باقیاتی (حیاتیاتی تناظر میں)Indonesian: vestigial - sisa-sisa (biologi)
Example Sentences
The human appendix is a vestigial organ.
basic
Whale pelvis bones are vestigial structures.
basic
Some snakes have vestigial legs.
basic
Wisdom teeth are often considered vestigial, since most people don't need them anymore.
natural
This tradition feels a bit vestigial—no one really remembers why we do it.
natural
After the update, the old menu became vestigial and was eventually removed.
natural