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vestigial
01
(of body parts) not as developed as it used to be in earlier relatives
Example
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.
Whales have tiny vestigial hind legs buried deep in their bodies, remnants of when their ancient ancestors lived on land.
