remnant

¹rem·nant

noun \ˈrem-nənt\

Definition of REMNANT

1

a : a usually small part, member, or trace remaining

b : a small surviving group —often used in plural

2

: an unsold or unused end of piece goods

Examples of REMNANT

1. Remnants go on sale next week.
2. <sailed home with just a remnant of the colony's original population aboard>

Origin of REMNANT

Middle English, contraction of remenant, from Anglo-French remanant, from present participle of remaindre to remain — more at remain

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REMNANT

Synonyms

balance, leavings, leftovers, odds and ends, remains, remainder, residue, residuum, rest

Related Words

fragment, scrap, vestige; butt, oddment, scraping(s), stub, stump; excess, fat, overabundance, overage, overflow, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus

Near Antonyms

body, bulk, main, mass, most, weight

²remnant

adjective

Definition of REMNANT

: still remaining

First Known Use of REMNANT

1550