Vestigially: meaning, definitions and examples
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vestigially
[ vɛˈstɪdʒɪəli ]
biological remnants
The term 'vestigially' refers to something that is present in a reduced or rudimentary form, often as a remnant of an evolutionary past. It typically describes anatomical features that have lost much of their original function through the process of evolution. Vestigial structures can provide insights into the history of a species. For instance, certain features in modern organisms may have been more functional in their ancestors but are now only partially developed or serve a different purpose altogether.
Synonyms
marginally, minimally, rudimentarily, underdeveloped
Examples of usage
- The whale has vestigially located hind limbs.
- Humans possess vestigially developed wisdom teeth.
- The eyes of cave-dwelling fish are vestigially present yet non-functional.
Translations
Translations of the word "vestigially" in other languages:
🇵🇹 vestigialmente
🇮🇳 अवशिष्ट रूप से
🇩🇪 vestigial
🇮🇩 vestigial
🇺🇦 вестигіально
🇵🇱 wstydliwie
🇯🇵 痕跡的に
🇫🇷 vestigialement
🇪🇸 vestigialmente
🇹🇷 kalıntı olarak
🇰🇷 퇴화적으로
🇸🇦 بشكل آثار متبقية
🇨🇿 vestigálně
🇸🇰 vestigálne
🇨🇳 退化地
🇸🇮 vestigialno
🇮🇸 leifarlegur
🇰🇿 сақталған түрде
🇬🇪 ნაშთურად
🇦🇿 qalıq şəklində
🇲🇽 vestigialmente
Word origin
The word 'vestigially' originates from the Latin word 'vestigium,' meaning 'footprint' or 'track.' As the term evolved, it came to refer to something that is a trace or remnant of something that once was. In biological contexts, the term began to be used to describe anatomical structures that were once fully functional but are now only present in a diminished capacity as a result of evolutionary changes. The adverbial form 'vestigially' was developed in the late 19th century as the understanding of evolutionary biology grew. Usage of the word became increasingly common in discussions of comparative anatomy and the study of evolutionary processes. Today, it is frequently used in scientific literature to describe features in organisms that reflect their evolutionary heritage.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #42,202, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.