remnant

noun

1. A small portion remaining of a larger thing or group; part of a former whole.

   “The remnants of the Neanderthal race mixed with members of Homo sapiens.”

   “20 ¶ And it shal come to passe in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Iacob, shall no more againe stay vpon him that smote them: but shall stay vpon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel in trueth. 21 The remnant shall returne, euen the remnant of Iacob, vnto the mightie God. 22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall returne: the consumption decreed shall ouerflow with righteousnesse.”

   “Pent up in Utica he vainly forms A poor Epitome of Roman Greatneſs, And, cover’d with Numidian Guards, directs A feeble Army, and an empty Senate, Remnants of mighty Battels fought in vain.”

2. The remaining fabric at the end of the bolt.

   “Usually not enough to make an entire project by itself, remnants of several fabrics can be used to make quilts.”

3. An unsold end of piece goods, as cloth, ribbons, carpets, etc.

   “All the remnants were sold in the flea market.”

   “A large number of remnants were taking up too much space, so we disposed of them.”

4. The passionate, influential minority of radicals in a faction or party.

adj

1. (archaic, not-comparable)Still left; remaining.

   “[H]is vow was made in his ſickneſſe, whileſt reaſon was ſcarce as yet in the peaceable poſſeſſion of his mind, becauſe of the remnant dregs of his diſeaſe: […]”

   “It bid Her feel / No future Pain for Me; but inſtant wed / A Lover more proportion'd to her Bed; / And quiet dedicate her remnant Life / To the juſt duties of an humble Wife.”