VESTIGE

trace, vestige, tincture, shadow

(noun) an indication that something has been present; “there wasn’t a trace of evidence for the claim”; “a tincture of condescension”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

vestige (plural vestiges)

The mark of the foot left on the earth.

Synonyms: trace, sign, track, footstep

(by extension) A faint mark or visible sign left by something which is lost, or has perished, or is no longer present.

Synonym: remains

(biology) A vestigial organ; a non-functional organ or body part that was once functional in an evolutionary ancestor.

Source: Wiktionary


Ves"tige, n. Etym: [F., from L. vestigium footprint, trace, sign; the last part (-stigium) is probably akin to E. sty, v. i. Cf. Investigate.]

Definition: The mark of the foot left on the earth; a track or footstep; a trace; a sign; hence, a faint mark or visible sign left by something which is lost, or has perished, or is no longer present; remains; as, the vestiges of ancient magnificence in Palmyra; vestiges of former population. What vestiges of liberty or property have they left Burke. Ridicule has followed the vestiges of Truth, but never usurped her place. Landor.

Syn.

– Trace; mark; sign; token.

– Vestige, Trace. These words agree in marking some indications of the past, but differ to some extent in their use and application. Vestige is used chiefly in a figurative sense, for the remains something long passed away; as, the vestiges of ancient times; vestiges of the creation. A trace is literally something drawn out in a line, and may be used in this its primary sense, or figuratively, to denote a sign or evidence left by something that has passed by, or ceased to exist. Vestige usually supposes some definite object of the past to be left behind; while a trace may be a mere indication that something has been present or is present; as, traces of former population; a trace of poison in a given substance.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

22 June 2025

STRAP

(noun) an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position


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Coffee Trivia

Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world. Each year Brazil exports more than 44 million bags of coffee. Vietnam follows at exporting over 27 million bags each year.

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