1. the parts left over after other parts have been removed, used, or destroyed: "the remains of a sandwich lunch were on the table"Similarremainderresidueremaining part/number/quantitypart/number/quantity (that is) left overrestremnantremnantsleftoversleavingsscrapsdebrisdetritustechnical:residuum
▪ a person's body after death:"he left instructions regarding the disposal of his remains"Similarcorpsedead bodybodycadavercarcassbody partsbonesskeleton
Word Originlate Middle English (occasionally treated as singular): from Old French remain, from remaindre, from an informal form of Latin remanere (see remain).