remnant

[ rem-nuhnt ]

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

/ 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 Words From

• remnant·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of remnant¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of remnant¹

C14: from Old French remenant remaining, from remanoir to remain

Example Sentences

The second was a small atmospheric ripple, the remnants of an old thunderstorm complex in the Sonoran Desert.

From Science News

That’s how human DNA has become riddled with remnants of past viral infections.

From Science News

The form factor of the Kegelhelm is directly known from three 8th century tombs in Argos that contained remnants of the helmets.

From Realm of History

To find remnants of it, researchers explored the seafloor near Antarctica.

From Science News For Students

The city, by circa 1099 AD, was even guarded by the disfranchised remnants of the previous Turkish garrison.

From Realm of History

My dad had worked for a while as a ranch hand, and his “Open Road” was a remnant of those days.

From The Daily Beast

“There is a little remnant of humanity in Tywin Lannister,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

Then they install sump pumps to remove remnant toxic waters.

From The Daily Beast

And, whereas the townspeople start rioting and attacking the chain-smoking cult the Guilty Remnant, Nora is at peace.

From The Daily Beast

Jewish or Christian thinkers would speak of a righteous remnant.

From The Daily Beast

The Spaniards, indeed, feigned to regard them only as a remnant of the rebels who had joined the pre-existing brigand bands.

From Project Gutenberg

A remnant of the long parliament assembled during the anarchy, and has been termed the rump.

From Project Gutenberg

This imputation on his son was too much for the small remnant of patience that remained to the Duke.

From Project Gutenberg

When the main French columns were deployed, Lannes, with the remnant of his indomitable corps, had a brief period of rest.

From Project Gutenberg

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel who are carried by my bowels, are borne up by my womb.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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