Main Entry: ¹rel·ict

Pronunciation: \ˈre-likt\

Function: noun

Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English relicte, from Late Latin relicta, from Latin, feminine of relictus, past participle of relinquere; in senses 2 & 3, from relict residual, adjective, from Latin relictus

Date: 15th century

1 : widow
2 : a surviving species of an otherwise extinct group of organisms; also : a remnant of a formerly widespread species that persists in an isolated area
3 a : a relief feature or rock remaining after other parts have disappeared b : something left unchanged