Relic: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe an old object or piece of history, often with religious or sacred significance.

• The medieval church contains many ancient relics.
• He found a relic from the Roman Empire buried in his backyard.

Describes a man-made object, often from a historical or archaeological site. It represents human workmanship and has cultural or historical value.

• The archaeologists discovered an ancient artifact buried under the pyramid.
• Artifacts from the Bronze Age were displayed in the exhibition.

Refers to an ancient period of history or an old object specifically from ancient cultures.

• Roman antiquities are widely studied in history courses.
• The museum's collection includes several items from Greek antiquity.

Used to describe a valuable object passed down through generations within a family.

• The necklace is a family heirloom, given to each first-born daughter.
• He inherited a beautiful heirloom clock from his grandfather.

Relics are often used to describe objects or artifacts from the past, especially those with historical, cultural, or religious significance.

• The museum displayed a relic from the Roman Empire.
• This ancient dagger is a relic of medieval Europe.

Remnant is typically used to refer to a small part that is left over from something larger. It often implies something that survived a process of destruction or erosion.

• The remnants of the old castle can still be seen on the hill.
• Archaeologists found remnants of ancient pottery at the site.

Vestige refers to a small, surviving part or mark of something that no longer exists. It is often used in more formal or literary contexts.

• There were still vestiges of the old traditions in the village.
• The ruins are the last vestige of a once-great civilization.

Trace is used to indicate a very small or slight amount of something that remains. It is often used in scientific or investigative contexts.

• There was only a trace of the chemical in the water sample.
• They found traces of ancient settlements in the area.