Relict: meaning, definitions and examples

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relict

[ ˈrɛlɪkt ]

^{Context #1}

archaeology

An object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental interest.

Synonyms

antique, artifact, remnant

Examples of usage

The museum is full of ancient relics.
She found a relict from the Roman era during the excavation.

^{Context #2}

biology

A species or community living in an environment that has remained unchanged from an earlier time.

Synonyms

relic species, remnant, survivor

Examples of usage

The relict population of this rare bird species is found only in this remote valley.
The relict forest is a unique ecosystem untouched by modern development.

Translations

Translations of the word "relict" in other languages:

🇵🇹 relíquia

🇮🇳 अवशेष

🇩🇪 Relikt

🇮🇩 relik

🇺🇦 релікт

🇵🇱 relikt

🇯🇵 遺物 (ibutsu)

🇫🇷 relique

🇪🇸 reliquia

🇹🇷 kalıntı

🇰🇷 유물 (yumul)

🇸🇦 أثر (athar)

🇨🇿 relikt

🇸🇰 relikt

🇨🇳 遗物 (yíwù)

🇸🇮 relikt

🇮🇸 leifar

🇰🇿 қалдық

🇬🇪 ნაშთი (nashti)

🇦🇿 qalıq

🇲🇽 reliquia

Word origin

The word 'relict' originated from the Latin word 'relictus', which means 'left behind'. It was first used in English in the mid-16th century. Initially, it referred to a widow, especially one who has not remarried. Over time, the term evolved to also signify objects or species left behind from an earlier period, leading to its current usage in archaeology and biology.