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.

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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

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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

Mine is empty, the purple remnants of huckleberry shake congealing on the silver spoon.

From Literature

Years later, as a documentary filmmaker, Sadia traveled to India and Pakistan, pursuing the surviving remnants—crumbling synagogues, documents, old pieces of furniture—that could give context to her grandmother’s tales.

From The Wall Street Journal

India in the last two years stepped up its campaign against the last remnants of the Naxalite rebellion, named after the village in the Himalayan foothills where the Maoist-inspired insurgency began nearly six decades ago.

From Barron's

In Cambodia, authorities recently took reporters on a tour of an abandoned scam center and showed the remnants of movie-like sets designed to resemble Indian police stations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its relatively close distance and clear visibility make it a key object for studying neutron stars, supernova remnants, and nebulae.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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