a receptacle or repository for relics, esp relics of saints
Word origin
C17: from Old French reliquaire, from reliquerelic
Examples of 'reliquaries' in a sentence
reliquaries
They have been after reliquaries, crosses, tapestries, anything that could be stolen.
Aldiss, Brian SOMEWHERE EAST OF LIFE
Everything else - dress, chants, rituals, food, big orange drums, reliquaries, rosaries - is marginal.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The finest workmanship went into the creation of their reliquaries, from gilding, through enamelling to carving.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Given his outlook, it was perhaps surprising that his chief passion outside of the studio was collecting reliquaries.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Yet the reliquaries made to preserve them were among the most precious and beautiful works of art of the age.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The treasures range from glittering jewels to ecclesiastical vessels, walrus-tusk reliquaries, scientific instruments and some of the earliestprinted images.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Reliquaries were often works of art, made of silver and gold and studded with jewels.