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remain

v. · n.
US //ɹiˈmeɪn// UK //ɹɪmˈeɪn// re·main
  1. 1 to stay in a state (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to continue to be in a specific condition or state.

    to continue in a particular state or condition. Often functions as a copular verb followed by an adjective or noun phrase.

    Example

    Despite the loud noise outside, the baby remained asleep in her crib.

    Example

    The investigators noted that the suspect remained remarkably calm throughout the interrogation, never once raising his voice or showing signs of agitation.
  2. 2 to stay behind (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to stay in a place after other people have left.

    to stay in a place after others have departed or after a portion has been removed.

    Example

    Only a few students remained in the classroom after the bell rang.

    Example

    While most of the refugees fled across the border, a small group of elders remained in the village to protect their ancestral homes.
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  1. 3 to be left over (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to be left when the other parts are gone or have been used.

    to be left after a part or quantity has been subtracted, used, or destroyed.

    Example

    Very little of the original castle remains today except for one stone tower.

    Example

    After the budget cuts were implemented, only enough funding remained to support the most essential community services.
  2. 4 leftover parts (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the parts of something that are left after the rest has been used or destroyed.

    the parts or portions of something that are left over after the main part has been removed or destroyed. Usually plural.

    Example

    We ate the remains of the Sunday roast for lunch on Monday.

    Example

    Archaeologists discovered the remains of a Roman villa beneath the modern shopping centre during the excavation.
  3. 5 a dead body (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the body of a person who has died.

    the physical body of a deceased person. Always plural; formal and respectful in register.

    Example

    The soldier's remains were returned to his family for a private funeral.

    Example

    Forensic experts were called to the site to identify the human remains found by the hikers in the remote forest.
Origin

From Middle English remainen, from Old French remain-, stressed stem of remanoir, from Latin remaneō, maneō, from Proto-Indo-European *men- (“to stay”). Displaced native Middle English beliven, bliven (“to remain”) (from Old English belīfan (“to remain, stay”)) due to confluence with related Middle English beleven (“to leave behind”), with which it merged. More at beleave and belive.

Idioms1 entry

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