I. rə̇ˈzij(ə)wəl, rēˈz-, -jəl adjective
Etymology: Latin residu um residue + English -al
1. : of, relating to, or constituting a residue : remaining after a part is taken : left as a residuum
2. : relating to or like a residue or remainder
residual analysis
a residual quantity
3. : remaining in a body cavity after maximum normal expulsion has occurred
residual urine
— compare residual air
4.
a. : leaving a residue that remains effective for some time after application
residual insecticides
b. : of or relating to a residual insecticide
a residual spray
II. noun
( -s )
: remainder , residuum : as
a.
(1) : a binomial expression with one negative term
(2) : the difference of the results obtained by observation and by computation from a formula
(3) : the difference between the mean of several observations and any one of them
b. : a product or substance remaining over (as at the end of a chemical process, distillation, extraction)
the various residuals of metabolic activity
c.
(1) : an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior : a memory trace
the residuals of past training
(2) : the disability (as a scar or a limp) remaining after satisfactory recovery from a disease or operation
III. noun
: a payment (as to an actor or writer) for each rerun especially of a commercial