Vē'stĭge, n.

n. [Fr. vestige, Pr. vestigi, Sp., Pg., & It. vestigio, Lat. vestigium.] The mark of the foot left on the earth; a track or footstep; trace; sign; hence, faint mark of something which has been or was present, but is lost or has perished; remains; as, the vestiges of ancient magnificence in Palmyra; vestiges of former population.

Ridicule has followed the vestiges of Truth, but never usurped her place. Landor.

What vestiges of liberty or property have they left? Burke.

Synonyms—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 from vestigium, a footprint, but is now 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 that which leads us to the knowledge of something else we are seeking. Vestige is, therefore, the stronger term, and usually supposes some definite object of the past to be left behind; while a trace is a mere indication that something has been present or is present; as, traces of former population; a trace of poison in a given substance.