relic

relic Definition

relic (rel′ik)

noun

1. an object, custom, etc. that has survived, wholly or partially, from the past
2. something that has historic interest because of its age and associations with the past, or that serves as a keepsake, or souvenir
remaining fragments; surviving parts; ruins
relict ()
Eccles. the body or a body part of, or some object associated with, a saint, martyr, etc., kept and reverenced as a memorial, as in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches

Etymology: ME relike < OFr relique < L reliquiae, pl., remains < relinquere: see relinquish

relic Synonyms

Something left from an earlier time
vestige, trace, survival, heirloom, antique, keepsake, memento, curio, curiosity, token, souvenir, testimonial, evidence, monument, memorial, trophy, remains, artifact, remembrance, reminder, bric-a-brac.
Ruins; usually plural
remains, remnants, fragments, residue, shards, potsherds, bones, broken stones; see also ruins.

relic Usage Examples

Converse of object

venerate: Instead of venerating holy relics in Moscow, they began venerating the rotting mommy of their tyrant.
enshrine: He is remembered for enshrining the relics of St Cecilia and other martyrs.
preserve: The part kept by himself became the famous relic preserved in the oratory of the Frankish kings under the name of " St.
uncover: It closed in 1922 and Dick bought it in 1964 - since when he has uncovered many relics of the building's past.
survive: The oldest surviving relic is the 1623 gravestone to Jane, daughter of George Graham, Bishop of Orkney.

Adjective modifier

holy: Rejoice, abundant grace shining forth from thy holy relics!
sacred: Smith refuses to become a keeper of sacred relics -- the living interpreter of his own back catalog.
venerable: On redecorating the church in the 1970s, the Church Council decided they no longer wanted these venerable relics.
priceless: Einstein thinks nothing of breaking into the Vatican to steal an artifact or acquiring other priceless relics via less than reputable sources.
precious: These precious relics were surely taken without consent in the first place.
feudal: It seems like the tidying up of a few outdated feudal relics.

Modifies a noun

hunter: Rumor abound that the legendary 7 th Book of Nagash had been uncovered by a relic hunter from Bretonnia.

Noun used with modifier

Possessives

saint: D. W. The use of saints ' relics has not been in the main line of the post-Reformation Church of England.

Preposition: of

saint: Along with various relics of saints, it was stolen.
antiquity: This interesting relic of antiquity formerly stood near the entrance to the town from Middleton.
era: The goal of retiring at 55 or earlier is an outdated relic of a former era.
civilization: They are the basic visual symbols and relics of all civilization.
past: We offer special interest walks to probe the relics of the past or identify the wildlife.

relic Quotes

Why should only I Be cased up, like a holy relic? I have youth And a little beauty.

—Webster,John

O double sacrilege on things divine, To rob the relic, and deface the shrine!

—Dryden,John

Fair Greece! sad relic of departed worth! Immortal, though no more! though fallen, great!

—Rochdale

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