Vestigial

Vestigial
Adjective describing something that is a vestige (remnant) or a primitive structure, and no longer believed to be important. For example, the appendix is considered a vestigial organ, and some infants are born with a vestigial tail.
* * *
Relating to a vestige.

* * *

ves·tig·ial ve-'stij-(ē-)əl adj of, relating to, or being a vestige <a \vestigial structure>
ves·tig·ial·ly adv

* * *

adj.
existing only in a rudimentary form. The term is applied to organs whose structure and function have diminished during the course of evolution until only a rudimentary structure exists.

* * *

ves·tig·i·al (vəs-tijґe-əl) of the nature of a vestige, trace, or relic; rudimentary.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • vestigial — vestigiál adj. m., pl. vestigiáli; f. sg. vestigiálă, pl. vestigiále Trimis de siveco, 10.08.2004. Sursa: Dicţionar ortografic  VESTIGIÁL, Ă adj. (anat.; despre un organ) rămas rudimentar în organism, care …   Dicționar Român

  • vestigial — (De vestigio). adj. Que queda como resto de algo que ya ha perdido su función. Órgano vestigial …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • Vestigial — Ves*tig i*al, a. Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a vestige. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vestigial — (adj.) 1877, from VESTIGE (Cf. vestige) + AL (Cf. al) (1) …   Etymology dictionary

  • vestigial — ► ADJECTIVE 1) forming a very small remnant of something. 2) Biology (of an organ or part of the body) degenerate, rudimentary, or atrophied, having lost its function in the course of evolution. DERIVATIVES vestigially adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • Vestigial — Structure vestigiale Pour les articles homonymes, voir Vestige. Une structure vestigiale est une structure anatomique de l organisme d une espèce dont la fonction initiale a été perdue tout ou en partie au cours de l évolution. On peut parler d… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • vestigial — vestige [ vɛstiʒ ] n. m. • 1377, fig.; lat. vestigium, proprt « trace du pied » ♦ Surtout au plur. 1 ♦ (1491) Concret Ce qui demeure (d une chose détruite, disparue). ⇒ reste . « un renard, un loup empaillé [...] vestiges des chasses de sa… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • vestigial — ves|ti|gi|al [veˈstıdʒiəl, dʒəl] adj 1.) technical a vestigial part of the body has never developed completely or has almost disappeared ▪ The legs of snakes are vestigial or absent altogether. 2.) formal remaining as a sign that something… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • vestigial — adjective 1 technical a vestigial part of the body has never developed completely or has almost disappeared because it is no longer used: Some snakes have vestigial legs. 2 formal remaining as a sign that something existed after most of it has… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • vestigial — ► adjetivo BIOLOGÍA Se aplica al órgano que ha perdido su función, pero que la tuvo en los antepasados de la especie que se trata. * * * vestigial. (De vestigio). adj. Que queda como resto de algo que ya ha perdido su función. Órgano vestigial. * …   Enciclopedia Universal

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”