residual

American  

[ri-zij-oo-uhl] / rɪˈzɪdʒ u əl /

adjective

1. pertaining to or constituting a residue or remainder; remaining; leftover.

   Synonyms:

   enduring, lasting, abiding

2. Mathematics.

   1. formed by the subtraction of one quantity from another.

      a residual quantity.

   2. (of a set) having complement of first category.

3. of or relating to the payment of residuals.

4. Medicine/Medical. remaining in an organ or part following normal discharge or expulsion.

   residual air.

5. Geology. remaining after the soluble elements have been dissolved.

   residual soil.

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noun

1. a residual quantity; remainder.

2. Often residuals. something that remains to discomfort or disable a person following an illness, injury, operation, or the like; disability.

   His residuals are a weak heart and light-headedness.

3. Mathematics.

   1. the deviation of one of a set of observations or numbers from the mean of the set.

   2. the deviation between an empirical and a theoretical result.

4. Navigation. a slight deviation of an adjusted compass on a certain heading.

5. Usually residuals. additional pay given to a performer for reruns, repeated use of a film, radio or TV commercial, or the like, in which the performer appears.

residual British  

/ rɪˈzɪdjʊəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating a residue or remainder; remaining; left over

2. (of deposits, soils, etc) formed by the weathering of pre-existing rocks and the removal of disintegrated material

3. of or relating to the payment of residuals

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noun

1. something left over as a residue; remainder

2. statistics

   1. the difference between the mean of a set of observations and one particular observation

   2. the difference between the numerical value of one particular observation and the theoretical result

3. (often plural) payment made to an actor, actress, musician, etc, for subsequent use of film in which the person appears

Other Word Forms

• nonresidual adjective
• residually adverb
• unresidual adjective

Etymology

Origin of residual

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin residu(um) “what is left over, remainder” (noun use of neuter of adjective residuus “left over,” derivative of resid(ēre) “to remain seated, be left over”) + -uus adjective suffix + -al adjective suffix; reside, -al ¹

Example Sentences

While companies have also stepped up investment in nature restoration and conservation projects, carbon removal is a separate tool seen as a way of addressing unavoidable residual emissions from operations and supply chains.

From The Wall Street Journal

Domestic banks with higher residual liquidity buffers and stronger liability franchises appear best placed in this environment.

From The Wall Street Journal

He took my hands in his and they were still shaking, residual shaking from the call I had just completed.

From Literature

With its current contract expiring on May 1, the WGA hopes to improve its members’ healthcare plans, increase streaming residuals and expand AI protections.

From Los Angeles Times

He pinched the hose, directing any residual water to the ash pit.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• continuing
• enduring
• lingering