residual

[ ri-zij-oo-uhl ]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• reˈsidually, adverb

Other Words From

• nonre·sidu·al adjective noun
• unre·sidu·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of residual¹

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

In her witness statement, read to the inquiry by Francesca Whitelaw KC, Dame Sally said she had been concerned "about the disposal by the foreign agents of any residual nerve agent".

From BBC

The inquest heard another surgeon, Andrew Stockdale, had raised concerns about the amount of residual tissue left behind in mastectomy operations carried out at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, where both worked.

From BBC

Harris added, “We have to just acknowledge that the residual impact of fracking is enormous in terms of the impact on the health and safety of communities.”

From Los Angeles Times

The situation may be improved because people may still have some residual immunity from flu and RSV, Chin-Hong said, which flared up the past couple of winters.

From Los Angeles Times

Henrietta is tired of living off residual sales from the comfort of her living room.

From Salon

Related Words

• continuing
• enduring
• lingering