remaining
UK[rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ]US[rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ]
adj
still existing, present, or left after other parts have been used, taken, or dealt with
adj
still needing to be done, dealt with, or considered
Morpheme Breakdown
re
main
ing
re
again/back
main
stay
ing
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word "remaining" is built upon the verb "remain," which entered English from Anglo-French remaner and ultimately from Latin remanēre, meaning "to stay behind." The Latin term itself is a compound of the prefix re- (here intensifying the sense of staying) and the verb manēre (to stay, abide). The core concept of persistence and continuation from manēre is traceable to the Proto-Indo-European root men- (to stay, stand still). The addition of the "-ing" suffix transforms the verb into an adjective, describing the state or quality of what is left over or continues to exist. Thus, the literal sense of "staying back again" evolved into the modern abstract meaning of what is left after other parts are gone or what is still to come.
Analysis
Structure: re (again/back) + main (stay) + ing (adjective suffix)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- main: From Latin manēre (to stay), via Old French main- (stem of manoir). It functions as the core verb root meaning "to stay".
- ing: Old English origin, a suffix used to form present participles and adjectives from verbs.
Examples
The remaining cookies were divided among the children.
Please complete the remaining tasks on the list.
She was the only remaining member of the original team.