vestige
Mere hint remaining
A vestige is a trace or remnant of something that once existed but has largely disappeared or diminished.
The word most often describes physical remnants of former structures or conditions: The ruins are vestiges of a once-great civilization.
In biology, a vestigial organ or feature is one that has lost its original function through evolution, like the human appendix.
More abstractly, vestige can refer to any surviving hint of a former state: Not a vestige of doubt remained.
Preserved ancient object
- remainsContinues in place
- fragmentIncomplete portion of whole
- remnantWhat stays after most goes
- residueMatter left behind
shard · ruin · leftover · debris · wreckage · skeleton · husk · shell
Minute remnant or pursue
- imprintMark from applied pressure
- footprintMark from stepping
- markVisible impression or sign
- impressionEffect on the mind
outline · shadow · echo · hint · indication · sign · suggestion · inkling
Basic element of knowledge
- atavismReturn to ancestral type
- appendixSupplementary section after main text
- tailboneFused vertebrae at spine's base
- coccyxFused vertebrae forming tail
organ · evolutionary · ancestral · remnant · anatomical · developmental · regression · adaptation
Study of ancient organisms
- dinosaurExtinct Mesozoic reptile
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
fossilization · stratigraphy · excavation · prehistoric · carbon-dating · sediment · imprint · preservation
Longing for the past
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- mementoToken of recollection
- keepsakeItem preserved for sentiment
souvenir · memorabilia · bygone · yesteryear · flashback · retrospection · lore · remembrance
Solving aid
- proofDemonstration of truth
- indicatorSign revealing status
- signMark conveying information
- tokenRepresentative placeholder
symptom · testimony · documentation · confirmation · manifestation · testament · attestation · demonstration
relic
Preserved ancient object
residue · shard · ruin · leftover · debris · wreckage · skeleton · husk · shell · stub
trace
Minute remnant or pursue
impression · outline · shadow · echo · hint · indication · sign · suggestion · inkling · glimmer
rudiment
Basic element of knowledge
- atavismReturn to ancestral type
- appendixSupplementary section after main text
- tailboneFused vertebrae at spine's base
coccyx · organ · evolutionary · ancestral · remnant · anatomical · developmental · regression · adaptation · trait
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- dinosaurExtinct Mesozoic reptile
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
trilobite · fossilization · stratigraphy · excavation · prehistoric · carbon-dating · sediment · imprint · preservation · extinct
nostalgia
Longing for the past
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- mementoToken of recollection
keepsake · souvenir · memorabilia · bygone · yesteryear · flashback · retrospection · lore · remembrance · relic
clue
Solving aid
token · symptom · testimony · documentation · confirmation · manifestation · testament · attestation · demonstration · verification
- vestigial structuresInherited features without function
- vestigial organBody part without function
investigate, investigation, investigator, investigated, investigative, vestigial, investigates, vestiges, reinvestigate