leavings
Definition
- Noun (plural only):
- Remnants or leftovers: "leavings" refers to the parts of something that are left over or remain after the main portion has been used, consumed, or removed. This often implies something unwanted or discarded.
- Residue or scraps: In a broader sense, it can mean waste or refuse that remains after a process, such as food scraps from a meal or material remnants from a craft.
Usage Examples
- (The food leftovers that were not eaten.)
- (The remaining pieces of marble after the main work was completed.)
- (The leftover food scraps.)
Advanced Usage
- "the leavings of society": a metaphorical use meaning the unwanted or marginalized members of a community.
- The homeless were often treated as the leavings of a prosperous city. (They were regarded as discarded or neglected people.)
Variants and Related Words
- Leave (verb): to depart from or to allow something to remain.
- Please leave the leavings in the bin. (Let the leftovers stay in the container.)
- Leftover (adj/n): similar in meaning, often used for food.
- We ate the leftovers for lunch. (The remaining food from a previous meal.)
Synonyms
- Remnants: small remaining quantities of something.
- Scraps: small pieces of leftover food or material.
- Residue: a small amount of something that remains after the main part has gone.
- Dregs: the most worthless parts of something (often used for liquid or society).
Related Idioms
- To pick over the leavings: to examine or take the least desirable parts of something.
- After the sale, customers picked over the leavings for any bargains. (They looked through the remaining unwanted items.)