Vestige

Vestige is a noun that refers to a remaining trace of something that has disappeared. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word vestigum (ves TEE gum) which means ‘footprint’ or ‘trace.’ The word can be used in a wide range of contexts in science, biology and history to refer to elements of the past that remain although they are no longer needed. But vestige can also be used in more casual contexts. For example: I don’t understand why Erica always checks the price tags of everything I buy and bring home. It may be a vestige of her early life of growing up poor and having to worry about spending too much money.