vestige

noun

ves·tige ˈve-stij

a(1)

: a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (such as an ancient city or a condition or practice) vanished or lost

(2)

: the smallest quantity or trace

: footprint sense 1

: a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in closely related forms

Choose the Right Synonym for vestige

trace, vestige, track mean a perceptible sign made by something that has passed.

trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect.

the killer left no traces

vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone.

boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age

track implies a continuous line that can be followed.

the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs

Examples of vestige in a Sentence

a few strange words carved on a tree were the only vestige of the lost colony of Roanoke the fossilized vestige of a dinosaur that traversed that muddy landscape millions of years ago

Recent Examples on the Web Most countries in the world, including the United States, do not recognize Taiwan as a country, a vestige of an ongoing rivalry between the governments of China and Taiwan, stemming from a civil war last century. —

Emily Feng, NPR, 23 May 2024 Despite the momentum the movement is gaining, there remain vestiges of the industry Godrèche and others hope to change. —

Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for vestige

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vestige.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin vestigium footstep, footprint, track, vestige

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler

The first known use of vestige was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Vestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vestige. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

vestige

noun

ves·tige ˈves-tij

: a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (as an ancient city or a condition or practice) vanished or lost

vestiges of lost civilizations

: the smallest quantity or trace

not a vestige of regret

: a small and imperfectly developed bodily part or organ that is the remains of one that was more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in a closely related form

vestigial

ve-ˈstij-(ē-)əl

adjective

Etymology

from French vestige "sign of something vanished or lost," from Latin vestigium "footprint" — related to investigate

Medical Definition

vestige

noun

ves·tige ˈves-tij

Last Updated: 28 May 2024 - Updated example sentences

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vestige

noun

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Synonyms

Examples of vestige in a Sentence

Word History

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near vestige

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition