Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Relic?

\Rel"ic\ (r?l"?k), n. [F. relique, from L. reliquiae, pl., akin to relinquere to leave behind. See {Relinquish}.] [Formerly written also {relique}.] 1. That which remains; that which is left after loss or decay; a remaining portion; a remnant. --Chaucer. Wyclif. The relics of lost innocence. --Kebe. The fragments, scraps, the bits and greasy relics. --Shak. 2. The body from which the soul has departed; a corpse; especially, the body, or some part of the body, of a deceased saint or martyr; -- usually in the plural when referring to the whole body. There are very few treasuries of relics in Italy that have not a tooth or a bone of this saint. --Addison. Thy relics, Rowe, to this fair urn we trust, And sacred place by Dryden's awful dust. --Pope. 3. Hence, a memorial; anything preserved in remembrance; as, relics of youthful days or friendships. The pearls were spilt; Some lost, some stolen, some as relics kept. --Tennyson.