vestigial

Variant of vestige

vestige definition

ves·tige (ves′tij)

noun

  1. a trace, mark, or sign of something that once existed but has passed away or disappeared vestiges of the ancient wall
  2. a trace; bit not a vestige of hope left
  3. Biol. a degenerate, atrophied, or rudimentary organ or part, more fully developed or functional in an earlier stage of development of the individual or species
    also vestigium ves·tig′·ium (ves tij′ē əm)

Etymology: Fr < L vestigium, footprint

Related Forms:

  • vestigial ves·tig′·ial (-tij′ē əl, -tij′əl) adjective
  • vestigially ves·tig′i·ally adverb

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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