I. ˈremnənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, contraction of remenant, from Middle French, from present participle of remenoir, remanoir to be left, remain — more at remain
1. : a usually small part, member, or trace remaining
her rather sweet expression … was the only remnant of a former prettiness — Osbert Sitwell
occasional erosion remnants stand above the general land surface — P.G.Worcester
: remainder , rest
more at ease during the remnant of the London season — G.B.Shaw
the ship came up and the remnant on the boat were saved — B.N.Cardozo
: survivor — often used in plural
the remnants of a camp group that had suffered misfortune — C.D.Forde
the crumbled remnants of a business section — American Guide Series: Oregon
2. : an unsold or unused end of piece goods
3. often capitalized : a minority of Israel preserved by God from the calamities visited upon the wicked to become the nucleus of a new and holy community
II. adjective
Etymology: modification (influenced by remnant ) (I) of Middle French remenant, present participle of remenoir to be left
: yet left : remaining
always thereafter … would carry in his heart some remnant feeling of disgrace — Bernard DeVoto