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remain

UK[rɪˈmeɪn]US[rɪˈmeɪn]
v

To continue to exist, especially after other similar or related people or things have ceased to exist.

v

To stay in the same place or condition.

v

To be left after others or other parts have been removed, used, or dealt with.

Morpheme Breakdown

re
main
re

again, back

main

stay

Etymology

The verb "remain" originates from the Anglo-Norman French remain-, remaner, and the Old French remanoir, which itself evolved from the Latin remanēre. This Latin source is a compound of the intensive prefix re- (meaning "back" or "again") and the verb manēre (meaning "to stay, abide, or last"). The core semantic logic is one of persistence: to stay back or continue in a place or state when others have departed or changed. From its literal Latin sense of staying behind, the meaning broadened in English to encompass the abstract notions of continuing to exist or being left over.

Analysis

Structure: re (again, back) + main (stay) re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back". main: From Latin manēre, meaning "to stay, abide, last".

Examples

Only a few columns of the ancient temple remain standing.

Please remain seated until the aircraft has come to a complete stop.

After paying all the bills, very little money remained in the account.

remain – Meaning, Etymology & Word Origin | OpenEtymology