remains
English meaning: Remains
Definition
(chiefly in the plural) That which is left; relic; remainder.
Example
“Rescue workers searched the rubble for any human remains.”
Another example: “Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Roman villa beneath the field.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral noun, usually plural, for what is left after part is removed or destroyed: leftovers, ruins, or a dead body ('human remains'). Common in archaeology, news of disasters, and formal contexts. As a verb (separate sense) 'remains' means continues to be.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'remain-', stem of 'remaindre' (to remain), from Latin 'remanere' (to stay behind), from 're-' (back) plus 'manere' (to stay); the noun use dates to the 15th century.
Synonyms
- remnants
- leftovers
- ruins
- relics
- residue
Related Words
- interred
- unclear
- intact
- excavated
- uncertain
- fossils
- burial
- bones
- cemetery
- grave
Common Collocations
- human remains
- mortal remains
- skeletal remains
- ancient remains
- the remains of
- charred remains
Word Forms
remain (v); remained; remaining; remains (n, pl)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B