relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈre-lik 

1

a

: an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr

b

: souvenir, memento

2

relics plural : remains, corpse

3

: a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance

4

: a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief

Synonyms

• echo
• ghost
• shadow
• trace
• vestige

Examples of relic in a Sentence

a crude stone ax and other relics of the Neanderthals

in my grandparents' attic are many “groovy” relics from the 1960s

Recent Examples on the Web

As humans merge more intimately with technology and become transhuman, quaint relics from the 20th century (such as yours truly) will fade away and soon will seem as remote and primitive as the ancient Neanderthals. —Douglas Hofstadter, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2024

Continuous Performance Evolution: The Death Of The Annual Review Annual performance reviews are a relic of a bygone era. —Chiranjiv Roy, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

This image, like game rentals as a whole, is now a relic of a bygone era. —Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 11 Sep. 2024

McCormick, the former state superintendent now running for governor, believes that if something is not done to curtail the voucher program soon, the public education system will become a relic of a time passed. —Grace Salata, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English relik, from Anglo-French relike, from Medieval Latin reliquia, from Late Latin reliquiae, plural, remains of a martyr, from Latin, remains, from relinquere to leave behind — more at relinquish

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing relic

• relic of the past

Kids Definition

relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈrel-ik 

1

: an object treated with great respect because of its connection with a saint or martyr

2

: something left behind after decay or disappearance

relics of ancient cities