remnant
UK[ˈrɛmnənt]US[ˈrɛmnənt]
n
A small remaining quantity of something.
n
A surviving trace or fragment of something that has largely disappeared or been destroyed.
Morpheme Breakdown
remn
ant
remn
to remain
ant
adjective/noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'remnant' has a direct lineage from the Latin verb 'remanēre', meaning 'to stay behind'. This verb itself is a compound of 're-' (back, again) and 'manēre' (to stay, to remain). The Old French derivative 'remanant' (the present participle) was adopted into Middle English, where it solidified its nominal form. The core logic of the word has remained remarkably consistent: it denotes that which is left over, that which has 'stayed behind' after the main part has been used, removed, or destroyed.
Analysis
Structure: remn (to remain) + ant (adjective/noun suffix)
remn originates from the Latin verb 'remanēre' (to remain, to stay behind). The '-ant' suffix is from Latin '-ant-', a participial ending forming adjectives and nouns indicating a state or agency.
Examples
Only a remnant of the ancient forest still stands.
She used a remnant of fabric to make a patch for the quilt.
The rebels were a desperate remnant of a once-great army.