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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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}.]
1. 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.
[1913 Webster]

What vestiges of liberty or property have they left?
--Burke.
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Ridicule has followed the vestiges of Truth, but
never usurped her place. --Landor.
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2. (Biol.) A small, degenerate, or imperfectly developed part
or organ which has been more fully developed in some past
generation.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

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 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 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.
[1913 Webster]