1. an object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental interest.Similarartifacthistorical objectancient objectantiquityantiqueheirloomobject of virtucuriofossil
▪ a part of a deceased holy person's body or belongings kept as an object of reverence: "miracles wrought by the relics of St. Stephen"Similarremainsbody partsbonescorpsedead bodycadaverholy/sacred objectsreliquiae
▪ an object, custom, or belief that has survived from an earlier time but is now outmoded: "individualized computer programming and time-sharing would become expensive relics"
▪ all that is left of something:"relics of a lost civilization"
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French relique (originally plural), from Latin reliquiae (see reliquiae).
