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relic

Pronunciation: /ˈɹɛlɪk/

The English word “relic” has 6 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. That which remains; that which is left after loss or decay; a remaining portion.
  2. Something old and outdated, possibly kept for sentimental reasons.
  3. A part of the body of a saint, or an ancient religious object, kept for veneration.
  4. A particle or entity that has existed since the Big Bang.

verb

  1. To cause (an object) to appear old or worn, to distress.

adjective

  1. Pertaining to the Big Bang.

Etymology

From Middle English relik et al., from Old French relique, from Latin reliquiae (“remains, relics”), from relinquō (“to leave behind, abandon, relinquish”), from re- + linquō (“to leave, quit, forsake, depart from”). Doublet of relict, derelict, and relinquish.

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