Relic
noun /ˈrel.ɪk/ — An object from the past that has survived
Definition
A surviving trace of something from the past — an object, building, or practice that persists from an earlier time. In religious contexts, the physical remains of a saint.
Beyond the definition
The object that carries time. A relic makes the past visible and tangible — you can hold it and feel what it has outlasted.
Origin & history
From Latin 'reliquiae' (remains, relics) — from 'relinquere' (to leave behind). What is left behind when everything else has gone.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The watch was a relic of his grandfather's — it no longer kept time, but that wasn't its purpose.
Some practices persist as relics long after the logic that produced them has disappeared.
The church's most prized relic was a fragment of what was believed to be the True Cross.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Relic” when the meaning fits your context: A surviving trace of something from the past — an object, building, or practice that persists from an earlier time. In religious contexts, the physical remains of a saint.
Synonyms
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Relic" mean?
Relic is noun meaning: An object from the past that has survived. A surviving trace of something from the past — an object, building, or practice that persists from an earlier time. In religious contexts, the physical remains of a saint.
Where does the word "Relic" come from?
From Latin 'reliquiae' (remains, relics) — from 'relinquere' (to leave behind). What is left behind when everything else has gone.