remnant

[rem-nuhnt]

noun

1. a remaining, usually small part, quantity, number, or the like.

   Synonyms: remains, rest, residuum, residue, remainder

2. a fragment or scrap.

3. a small, unsold or unused piece of cloth, lace, etc., as at the end of a bolt.

4. a trace; vestige.

   remnants of former greatness.

adjective

1. remaining; leftover.

remnant

/ ˈrɛmnənt /

noun

1. (often plural) a part left over after use, processing, etc

2. a surviving trace or vestige, as of a former era

   a remnant of imperialism

3. a piece of material from the end of a roll, sold at a lower price

adjective

1. remaining; left over

Other Word Forms

• remnantal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of remnant¹

1300–50; Middle English remna ( u ) nt, contraction of remenant < Old French, present participle of remenoir to remain

Word History and Origins

Origin of remnant¹

C14: from Old French remenant remaining, from remanoir to _remain

Example Sentences

He figured it was coming from another fire somewhere else or it was the remnants of the New Year’s fire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The remnants of these glaciers, which have already shrunk dramatically since the late 1800s, are retreating year after year, and are projected to melt completely this century as global temperatures continue to rise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Though it will contain remnants of the tropical storm, it will be a separate weather system.

Read more on BBC

Last week, when the remnants of Tropical Storm Mario blew north, most of the Los Angeles area ended up getting only about a tenth of an inch of rain Thursday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It may turn out to be a slight overreach, given the existence of weirdo Republicans like Ted Cruz and Rand Paul who cling to the last tattered remnants of libertarian ideals.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bit 
• fragment 
• particle 
• piece 
• remains 
• residue 
• shred 
• vestige