- relique
- Relic Rel"ic (r?l"?k), n. [F. relique, from L. reliquiae, pl.,
akin to relinquere to leave behind. See {Relinquish}.]
[Formerly written also {relique}.]
1. That which remains; that which is left after loss or
decay; a remaining portion; a remnant. --Chaucer. Wyclif.
[1913 Webster]
The relics of lost innocence. --Kebe. [1913 Webster]
The fragments, scraps, the bits and greasy relics. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. The body from which the soul has departed; a corpse; especially, the body, or some part of the body, of a deceased saint or martyr; -- usually in the plural when referring to the whole body. [1913 Webster]
There are very few treasuries of relics in Italy that have not a tooth or a bone of this saint. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
Thy relics, Rowe, to this fair urn we trust, And sacred place by Dryden's awful dust. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
3. Hence, a memorial; anything preserved in remembrance; as, relics of youthful days or friendships. [1913 Webster]
The pearls were spilt; Some lost, some stolen, some as relics kept. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.