residue

[rez-i-doo, -dyoo]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR residue ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something that remains after a part is removed, disposed of, or used; remainder; rest; remnant.

Chemistry.

residuum(def 2).
an atom or group of atoms considered as a group or part of a molecule.
that part remaining as a solid on a filter paper after a liquid passes through in the filtration procedure.

Law. the part of a testator's estate that remains after the payment of all debts, charges, special devises, and bequests.

Mathematics.

the coefficient of the term with exponent −1 in a Laurent series of a function of a complex variable.
a number related to a given number by a congruence.

Origin of residue

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French residu < Latin residuum what is left over; see residual

Can be confusedresidual residue

Synonyms for residue

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR residue ON THESAURUS.COM

1. remains, residuum. See remainder.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for residue

slag, debris, silt, scum, surplus, garbage, extra, rest, remnant, remains, dross, trash, junk, leavings, residual, excess, remainder, sewage, dregs, balance

Examples from the Web for residue

Contemporary Examples of residue

For five weeks I forced myself to sit at my house table, figuring that my reluctance was a residue of my introversion.
Freshman Year Sucks—and That’s OK
Eleanor Hyun
November 12, 2014
There is no mention of any residue of the tablets that Shawn is supposed to have taken.
The Strange and Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis
Richard Ben Cramer
January 11, 2014
That oil used in manufacturing the gauges had not been flushed out, and a residue remained.
The 800 Dangerous Airbus Planes in the Sky
Clive Irving
March 14, 2010

Historical Examples of residue

The residue is of a brown color, and has a saline, bitter taste.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 447, July 26, 1884
Various
It gave a residue on ignition amounting only to 1.6 per cent.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 447, July 26, 1884
Various
Brewers' grains are the residue of barley malt and corn grits.
Government by the Brewers?
Adolph Keitel
And whichever of these qualities we find in the State, the one which is not found will be the residue?
The Republic
Plato
A residue of egoism remains in every affection—even paternal.
Chance
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for residue

residue

noun

matter remaining after something has been removed

law what is left of an estate after the discharge of debts and distribution of specific gifts

Word Origin for residue

C14: from Old French residu, from Latin residuus remaining over, from residēre to stay behind, reside

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 residue

mid-14c., from Old French residu (14c.), from Latin residuum "a remainder, that which is left behind," noun use of neuter of adjective residuus "remaining, left over," from residere "remain behind" (see reside).

residue in Medicine

residue

[rĕz′ĭ-dōō′]

n.

The remainder of something after removal of parts or a part.