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vestige

noun

/ˈvɛstɪʤ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of vestige

A trace, mark or remnant of something that has disappeared or no longer exists in its original form.
"The ruins of the ancient temple are the last vestige of a once-great civilization."

Detailed meaning of vestige

It can be used to describe physical remains of something, such as the vestiges of a ruined building, or to describe intangible remnants, such as the vestiges of an old tradition or belief system. Vestiges can be seen as evidence of what was once there, and they often carry historical or cultural significance. In some cases, vestiges can also be interpreted as symbolic or metaphorical, representing something that has been lost or forgotten. Overall, the term vestige is often used to describe a small, often incomplete, but significant piece of evidence or reminder of something that has passed.

Example sentences containing vestige

1. The scientist found a vestige of an extinct species in the fossil record.
2. The old castle stands as a vestige of the region's medieval history.
3. The old traditions were kept alive in the small vestiges of the community that still practiced them.
4. The old photograph was the last vestige of her childhood home that she had left.
5. The old map contained vestiges of an unknown land that had yet to be explored.
6. The abandoned factory was the last vestige of a once-thriving industry in the town.

History and etymology of vestige

The noun 'vestige' has its etymological roots in the Latin word 'vestigium,' which means 'footprint' or 'track.' In ancient Rome, 'vestigium' referred to the physical traces left by footprints, and it later came to represent any mark or remnant of something that has disappeared or no longer exists in its original form. The concept of a footprint serving as evidence of something that was once present gave rise to the broader meaning of 'vestige' as a tangible sign or remnant of a bygone existence. When we speak of a 'vestige' today, we draw on its Latin heritage to emphasize the idea of a lingering trace, mark, or relic that allows us to glimpse the past or the existence of something that has since faded away.

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Further usage examples of vestige

1. The old building had been renovated, but some vestiges of its original architecture remained.
2. The faded painting was the last vestige of the artist's early years.
3. The local museum had a vestige of the region's ancient art on display.
4. The last vestige of the old ways was a small community of people who still spoke the traditional language.
5. The crumbling walls were the only vestiges of the castle that had once stood there.
6. The ancient ruins are the last vestige of a once-great civilization.
7. His old journal serves as a vestige of his adventurous youth.
8. The dilapidated building is a vestige of the town's industrial past.
9. The traditional ceremony is a vestige of ancient cultural practices.
10. Fossils are vestiges of creatures that roamed the Earth long ago.
11. The worn statue is a vestige of a forgotten hero's legacy.
12. The ghost town's empty streets are vestiges of a bustling past.
13. Language evolves, but some words retain vestiges of their origins.
14. The abandoned shipwreck is a haunting vestige of maritime history.
15. The crumbling walls are the last vestige of an ancient fortress.
16. The obsolete technology is a vestige of a bygone era.
17. The faded painting is a vestige of the artist's fleeting inspiration.
18. The overgrown path is a vestige of a once-traveled route.
19. The handwritten letters are vestiges of a long-distance romance.
20. Legends often contain vestiges of historical events embellished over time.
21. The ancient manuscript is a vestige of forgotten knowledge.
22. The aged photograph is a vestige of cherished memories.
23. The desert oasis is a vestige of life in a barren landscape.
24. The antique store is a treasure trove of historical vestiges.
25. The rusted sword is a vestige of a bygone age of chivalry.