Where does “vestigial” come from?

Vestigial derives from Latin vestigium (footprint, trace) via the suffix -alis, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European wer- (to turn), suggesting a sense of something swept or turned underfoot.

vestigial (English): Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a...

Definitions

  1. Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a...

Ancestry of “vestigial”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinvestigiumfootprint, track; trace, vestige, mark; sole of...
2Latinvē-too much, too little
3Proto-Italic*djous—
4Proto-Indo-Europeandyḗwssky, heaven; sky god
5Proto-Indo-Europeandyéwssky, heaven
6Proto-Indo-Europeandyew-to be bright; sky, heaven

Words derived from “vestigial”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European dyew- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European dyéws →Every word from Proto-Indo-European dyḗws →
vestigial — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer