rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryrelicSurvivor from the past
noun

relic

REL-ik/ˈrelɪk/

Something surviving from an earlier time.

The weathered bronze brooch is a relic displayed on a museum cushion.

A weathered ancient bronze brooch displayed respectfully on a plain museum cushion, corroded patina and age, no labels.
Etymology
reLatinback
+licLatinto leave

The pieces express leaving something behind. A relic is what remains: the word broadened from revered remains of holy people to objects surviving from the past.

In context

KirTop - Archaeology86:31
a copper or brass object was placed on the stone for a certain period of time possibly some kind of sacred Relic
100 Findings That Still Nobody Can Explain

More examples

  • Workers uncovered relics of an ancient settlement beneath the road.
  • This outdated rule is a relic of stricter times.
  • The church preserves a saint's robe as a sacred relic.

Forms

relic · relics

reliquary noun — A container for sacred remains or objects.

Similar words

remnant
Emphasizes a leftover portion rather than a connection to history.
artifact
Specifically a human-made object, often studied for historical information.
vestige
Emphasizes a small surviving trace of something largely gone.