remnant

American  

[rem-nuhnt] / ˈrɛm nənt /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of remnant

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

Example Sentences

The first, represented by the court’s decision, is the remnant of a constitutional democracy in which rules still matter.

From Salon

Sharaa’s background as an Islamist who fought Islamic State could give his government an advantage in policing the group’s remnants.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pulsars are dense remnants of massive stars known as neutron stars.

From Science Daily

The remnants of the baked ziti Aunt Melissa cooked last night.

From Literature

“The remnants of Camp Century are being carried to the west coast of Greenland as ice flows in the ice cap, and at some point will be exposed,” Doel said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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