Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Remnant \Rem"nant\ (r?m"nant), a. [OF. remanant, p. pr. of
   remanoir, remaindre. See {Remanent}, {Remain}.]
   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.

Remnant \Rem"nant\, n. [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.

   Syn: Residue; rest; remains; remainder.

Source : WordNet®

remnant
     n 1: a small part or portion that remains after the main part no
          longer exists [syn: {leftover}]
     2: a piece of cloth that is left over after the rest has been
        used or sold [syn: {end}, {remainder}, {oddment}]