reliquary

noun

rel·​i·​quary ˈre-lə-ˌkwer-ē How to pronounce reliquary (audio)
plural reliquaries
: a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept

Examples of reliquary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Across the hall is Richter’s synth reliquary, where, along with his Russian Blue cat, Kiki, reside several Moogs, the TC 6000 system behind Sleep’s subterranean reverb, effects units immortalized by King Tubby and Syd Barrett, and enough reel-to-reel tape machines to fill a museum. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2024 Surak regretted that they were stored this way and not placed in proper reliquaries in locations where they could be venerated. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024 Stavanger Cathedral’s reliquary was believed to have been lost 500 years ago, the museum said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024 Using neutron imaging preserved the pendant while revealing five small reliquary packages of silk and linen holding bone splinters. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for reliquary 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reliquary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French reliquaire, from Medieval Latin reliquiarium, from reliquia relic — more at relic

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reliquary was in 1550

Dictionary Entries Near reliquary

Cite this Entry

“Reliquary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliquary. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

reliquary

noun
rel·​i·​quary ˈrel-ə-ˌkwer-ē How to pronounce reliquary (audio)
plural reliquaries
: a small box or shrine in which sacred relics are kept

More from Merriam-Webster on reliquary

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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