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Webster 1913 Edition

Vestige

Ves′tige

,
Noun.
[F., from L.
vestigium
footprint, trace, sign; the last part (
-stigium
) is probably akin to E.
sty
, v. i. Cf.
Investigate
.]
1.
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 of 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
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Vestige

VES'TIGE

,
Noun.
[L. vestigium. This word and vestibule, show that some verb signifying to tread, from which they are derived, is lost.]
A track or footstep; the mark of the foot left on the earth; but mostly used for the mark or remains of something else; as the vestiges of ancient magnificence in Palmyra; vestiges of former population.

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