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definitions

remnant

[ rem-nuhnt ]
/ ˈrɛm nənt /
||
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noun

a remaining, usually small part, quantity, number, or the like.
a fragment or scrap.
a small, unsold or unused piece of cloth, lace, etc., as at the end of a bolt.
a trace; vestige: remnants of former greatness.

adjective

remaining; leftover.

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RELATED WORDS

vestige, residue, particle, remains, fragment, shred, bit, piece, leavings, end, dross, scrap, excess, residual, rest, surplus, dregs, portion, part, hangover

Nearby words

  1. remittance man,
  2. remittee,
  3. remittent,
  4. remitter,
  5. remix,
  6. remodel,
  7. remodeling,
  8. remolade,
  9. remonetize,
  10. remonstrance

Origin of remnant

1300–50; Middle English remna(u)nt, contraction of remenant < Old French, present participle of remenoir to remain
Related formsrem·nant·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for remnant

British Dictionary definitions for remnant

remnant

/ (ˈrɛmnənt) /

noun

(often plural) a part left over after use, processing, etc
a surviving trace or vestige, as of a former eraa remnant of imperialism
a piece of material from the end of a roll, sold at a lower price

adjective

remaining; left over

Word Origin for remnant

C14: from Old French remenant remaining, from remanoir to remain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for remnant

remnant

n.

late 14c., contraction of remenant (c.1300), from Old French remanant "rest, remainder, surplus," noun use of present participle of remanoir "to remain" (see remain (v.)). Specific sense of "end of a piece of drapery, cloth, etc." is recorded from early 15c. An Old English word for "remnant" was endlaf.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper