Remain vs. Remnant

Attribute	Remain	Remnant
Definition	to be left over or to continue to exist	what is left of something after it has been destroyed or removed
Origin	Middle English: from Old French remain-, stressed stem of remanoir, from Latin remanere, from re- ‘back’ + manere ‘stay’	Middle English: from Old French remenant, present participle of remanoir, from Latin remanere, from re- ‘back’ + manere ‘stay’
Usage	Can be used as a verb or a noun	Primarily used as a noun
Implication	Implies something continuing to exist or persist	Implies something left over or remaining after destruction

Definition

Remain and remnant are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. Remain refers to what is left over after something has been removed or taken away. It implies that there is still a significant portion remaining. On the other hand, remnant refers to a small remaining quantity of something, often implying that it is a fragment or leftover piece.

Size

One key difference between remain and remnant is the size of what is left over. When something remains, it suggests that a substantial portion is still present. For example, if there are 100 cookies and 20 remain, it indicates that a significant number of cookies are still available. On the other hand, if there are only 2 cookies left as a remnant, it implies that only a small fraction of the original quantity remains.

Usage

Remain is often used in a more general sense to indicate what is left over after a process or event. It can be applied to various situations, such as the remaining time in a game or the remaining pieces of a puzzle. Remnant, on the other hand, is typically used to describe something that is left over after destruction or decay. It is often associated with remnants of a civilization or remnants of a once-great structure.

Implications

When something remains, it can imply that there is still hope or potential for the future. For example, if a team is losing a game but there is still time remaining, there is a chance for a comeback. On the other hand, when something is referred to as a remnant, it can suggest a sense of finality or decay. Remnants are often seen as remnants of the past, with little hope for revival or restoration.

Value

The value of what remains versus what is considered a remnant can also differ. When something remains, it can still hold significant value or importance. For example, the remaining pieces of a valuable antique may still be worth a lot of money. On the other hand, a remnant may be seen as having less value, as it is often considered a leftover or fragment of something larger.

Examples

To illustrate the difference between remain and remnant, consider the following examples. If a building is demolished and only a small portion of the structure is left standing, that would be considered a remnant of the original building. However, if a building is partially damaged but still mostly intact, it would be said to remain after the incident. The distinction lies in the size and condition of what is left over.