Remnant, n.
Etymology: [OF.remanant. See Remnant, a.]
1. That which remains after a part is removed, destroyed, used up, performed, etc.; residue. Chaucer. The remnant that are left of the captivity. Neh. i. 3. The remnant of my tale is of a length To tire your patience. Dryden.
2. A small portion; a slight trace; a fragment; a little bit; a scrap. Some odd quirks and remnants of wit. Shak.
3. (Com.)
An unsold end of piece goods, as cloth, ribbons, carpets, etc.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Residue; rest; remains; remainder.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Remnant (rmnant), a.
Remaining; yet left. [R.] "Because of the remnant dregs of his disease." Fuller. And quiet dedicate her remnant life To the just duties of an humble wife. Prior.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for remnant; he lists it under trace.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.