The word "remains" is spelled with four letters, but the pronunciation can be tricky. The IPA phonetic transcription for "remains" is /rɪˈmeɪnz/. It includes the "r" sound at the beginning, followed by the short "i" sound, then "m" and "n" with no vowel sound between them. The stress falls on the second syllable, and the "s" on the end is pronounced as a "z" sound due to the letter "a" that precedes it. So, despite its simple spelling, "remains" can be challenging to get right for non-native English speakers.
The term "remains" can refer to various meanings depending on the context. As a verb, "remains" typically indicates the act of staying or continuing in a particular situation or condition. It can also denote the act of being left behind or staying in a place after others have left. In this sense, "remains" can indicate a continuous or enduring presence.
As a noun, "remains" commonly refers to what is left after a significant change, destruction, or decay. These leftovers can be physical remnants, such as fragments, remains of a structure or a deceased organism, or archaeological relics. The term can also be used in a metaphorical sense, describing something that persists or survives in memory, tradition, or influence.
In historical or archaeological contexts, "remains" typically refers to the physical evidence or artifacts that provide insights into past civilizations or periods. These can include skeletal remains, ruins, tools, pottery, or any other material objects associated with a different era.
Overall, "remains" is a versatile term that encompasses both actions and objects. It can describe the act of continuing or staying as well as the material traces left behind after some form of change or deterioration.
• the dead body of a human being
• That which is left; a dead body; relies; remnants.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "remains" comes from the Old French word "remaindre", which is derived from the Late Latin word "remānēre". This Latin term is a combination of the prefix "re-" (meaning "again" or "back") and the verb "mānēre" (meaning "to stay" or "to remain"). Therefore, the word "remains" ultimately refers to something that stays or is left behind after an event or process.