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Definition of relic

relic

/ˈrɛl.ɪk/
rel · ic
Plural:relics
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relic Lexical Profile

relic Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical, cultural, or sentimental interest.

Example

"The museum houses a fascinating collection of relics from the Roman Empire."

2

A surviving trace of a past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief.

Example

"The archaic law was widely considered a relic of a less enlightened era."

3

A part of a deceased holy person's body or belongings kept as an object of religious reverence.

Example

"Pilgrims traveled hundreds of miles to view the sacred relic of the patron saint."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for relic

• Nearby Words

relaxing
relay
release
relic
relish
rely
remain

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old French 'relique', deriving from Latin 'reliquiae' meaning 'remains', which comes from the verb 'relinquere' (to leave behind).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Relic. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 22, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/relic
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