Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Vestige \Ves"tige\, n. [F., from L. vestigium footprint, trace,
   sign; the last part (-stigium) is probably akin to E. sty, v.
   i. Cf. {Investigate}.]
   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.

   Usage: {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 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.

Vestige \Ves"tige\, n. (Biol.)
   A small, degenerate, or imperfectly developed part or organ
   which has been more fully developed in some past generation.

Source : WordNet®

vestige
     n : an indication that something has been present; "there wasn't
         a trace of evidence for the claim"; "a tincture of
         condescension" [syn: {trace}, {tincture}, {shadow}]