- Today's Word
Vestigial
veh-STIJ-ee-uhl
Definition
- (adjective) Relating to a small, remaining part of something that once had a larger presence or function.
- In biology, describing a structure that has lost most or all of its original function through evolution.
Example
The ancient ruins stood as a vestigial reminder of a once-great civilization.
Fun Fact
“Vestigial” comes from the Latin word vestigium, meaning “footprint” or “trace.” Initially referring to physical remnants, it evolved to describe anything lingering or diminished. In evolutionary biology, it describes traits like the human tailbone or appendix, which no longer serve their original purpose but offer fascinating insights into our species’ history.
(adjective) Sedate, respectable, and unadventurous; resistant to change or excitement; marked by settled, even dull, conventionality.
The new curator’s bold acquisitions rattled the museum’s staid board of trustees, who had grown comfortable with decades of cautious, predictable programming.