Words / C1

REZ-id-yoo/ˈrezɪdjuː/

Residue is a small amount that remains after the main part has gone: chemical residue, residue of a sample. Remnant (this batch) is a leftover fragment of a whole; remainder (this batch) is the leftover quantity. Last year’s n in this year’s abstract is an error.

Meaning

A small amount of something that remains after the main part has gone.

Examples

• “Residue of last year’s n in the abstract is a methods error.”
• “Remnant and remainder are this batch. Trace is the science twin. A leftover figure is a citation risk. Delete or cite; do not perfume the reuse.”

Good to know

What remains after the rest is gone. Cousins: remnant / remainder (this batch). A leftover n is an error.

Near in meaning

trace

New