Relic: meaning, definitions and examples

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relic

 

[ หˆrษ›lษชk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

historical artifact

A relic is an object or a piece of history that has survived from the past, often with cultural or historical significance. Relics can range from ancient artifacts to personal belongings of famous individuals. They are often preserved and displayed in museums or religious institutions.

Synonyms

antiquity, artifact, heirloom.

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Word Description / Examples
relic

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.
artifact

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.
antiquity

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.
heirloom

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.

Examples of usage

  • The museum houses a collection of ancient relics from the Roman Empire.
  • She treasured the relic, a necklace passed down through generations in her family.
Context #2 | Noun

remnant or remains

A relic can also refer to a remaining part or trace of something that has been lost, destroyed, or disappeared. It can be a surviving fragment or memory of a bygone era or event.

Synonyms

remnant, trace, vestige.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
relic

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

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

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

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.

Examples of usage

  • The ruins of the old castle are the only relics left of the once majestic structure.
  • The ghost town is a relic of the gold rush era.

Translations

Translations of the word "relic" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น relรญquia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคตเคถเฅ‡เคท

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Relikt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ relik

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั€ะตะปั–ะบะฒั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ relikwia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้บ็‰ฉ (ใ„ใถใค)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท relique

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ reliquia

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kalฤฑntฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์œ ๋ฌผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุซุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ relikvie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ relikvia

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้—็‰ฉ (yรญwรน)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ relikvija

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ minjar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐะปะดั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ แƒ”แƒšแƒ˜แƒฅแƒ•แƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qalฤฑq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ reliquia

Etymology

The word 'relic' originated from the Latin word 'reliquiae', meaning 'remains' or 'something left behind'. In ancient times, relics were often associated with religious significance, such as the bones or personal belongings of saints. Over time, the term evolved to encompass a broader range of historical artifacts and remnants. Today, relics continue to fascinate archaeologists, historians, and enthusiasts alike as tangible connections to the past.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,801, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.