ves
ti
gial
1
(of body parts) not as developed as it used to be in earlier relatives
- Whales have tiny vestigial hind legs buried deep in their bodies, remnants of when their ancient ancestors lived on land.
- The human appendix is often cited as a vestigial structure since it performs no clearly essential function for health and survival.
- Traces of leg bones have been found in snakes, indicating these legless reptiles have vestigial hind limbs from their limbed ancestors.
- Flightless birds such as ostriches retain vestigial wings that are much smaller than their flying relatives.
- He explored the ancient ruins, fascinated by the vestigial remains of the once-thriving city.
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