residual

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Remaining as a small amount after most of something has gone.

   There was still some residual heat in the oven an hour after it was switched off.

2. 2
   noun

   A small amount that is left over at the end of a process.

   After all the deductions, only a tiny residual was added to her account.

3. 3
   noun

   A payment made to a performer or writer each time their work is shown again.

   He still earns residuals from a commercial he filmed years ago.

Recorded since 1570. From residue, itself borrowed during the Middle English period from Old French residu (Modern French résidu), from Latin residuum (“a remainder”), the neuter inflection of residuus (“remaining, left over”), perfect participle of resideō (“to remain behind”), from re- (“back, again”) + sedeō (“to sit, to reside”).

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