Vestige: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'vestigium', meaning 'footprint' or 'track', suggesting a sign of something that was once there.
• In the 15th century, it was adopted into English, primarily to describe remains of historical significance.
• It often relates to archaeology, where traces from the past help us understand lost cultures.

Literature

• Many classic authors use 'vestige' to symbolize loss, reminding readers of what has faded away.
• It appears in poetry to convey nostalgia, representing memories that linger even as times change.
• In modern literature, it's often used to evoke a sense of mystery associated with forgotten histories.

Psychology

• In cognitive terms, 'vestige' can refer to lingering memories that influence current behavior despite being incomplete.
• Psychological research shows that memories can leave behind traces that shape our identity and choices.
• The concept links to how humans cope with loss, often holding onto vestiges of what is no longer there.

Cultural Insights

• In many cultures, vestiges of past traditions can shape present rituals, preserving heritage.
• Urban explorations often uncover architectural 'vestiges' that tell stories of a city’s history.
• Festivals and celebrations sometimes act as vestiges, keeping old customs alive in new forms.

Science

• In biology, vestigial structures are organs or features that have lost their original function through evolution.
• Examples include the human appendix, which is a vestige of a digestive organ once essential for our ancestors.
• Paleontologists study fossils as vestiges that provide insight into the evolutionary history of species.

With rank #18,210, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 18207 amalgamated
• 18208 sipping
• 18209 vehemence
• 18210 vestige
• 18211 propensities
• 18212 unaccustomed
• 18213 ignite
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