relict

1 of 2

noun

rel·ict ˈre-likt How to pronounce relict (audio)

: widow

: a surviving species of an otherwise extinct group of organisms

also : a remnant of a formerly widespread species that persists in an isolated area

: a relief feature or rock remaining after other parts have disappeared

: something left unchanged

relict

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a relict

relict populations

Did you know?

The oldest English sense of "relict" is extinct-or at least obsolete. In the 16th century, relict meant "an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr," but that meaning is now covered by "relic," a related word that can also refer to something left behind after decay or disappearance. "Relict" was also used to refer to a widow at one time, but now that sense is more or less limited to legal uses. It seems fitting that "relict" has outdated senses; after all, it derives ultimately from the Latin verb relinquere, meaning "to leave behind."

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Perseverance is the tip of the spear in humanity’s grand quest to find traces of a relict Martian biosphere.

Nadia Drake, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2022 One theory is that the beetles are what scientists call a relict, a survivor from an earlier, more primitive time.

Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 16 July 2019 For wildlife sightings just outside the museum, look out for grey foxes, desert cottontails, and relict leopard frogs.

Kim Windyka, Daily Intelligencer, 16 June 2018 Just north of downtown, the Roosevelt District is an amalgam of older, relict neighborhoods.

Michael Kiefer, azcentral, 7 Apr. 2018 Only upon understanding their backstory do these relict cityscapes become rational and elucidating.

Richard Campanella, NOLA.com, 10 May 2017

单词	relict
释义	relict 1 of 2 noun rel·ict ˈre-likt 1 : widow 2 : a surviving species of an otherwise extinct group of organisms also : a remnant of a formerly widespread species that persists in an isolated area 3 a : a relief feature or rock remaining after other parts have disappeared b : something left unchanged relict 2 of 2 adjective : of, relating to, or being a relict relict populations Did you know? The oldest English sense of "relict" is extinct-or at least obsolete. In the 16th century, relict meant "an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr," but that meaning is now covered by "relic," a related word that can also refer to something left behind after decay or disappearance. "Relict" was also used to refer to a widow at one time, but now that sense is more or less limited to legal uses. It seems fitting that "relict" has outdated senses; after all, it derives ultimately from the Latin verb relinquere, meaning "to leave behind." Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Noun Perseverance is the tip of the spear in humanity’s grand quest to find traces of a relict Martian biosphere. Nadia Drake, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2022 One theory is that the beetles are what scientists call a relict, a survivor from an earlier, more primitive time. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 16 July 2019 For wildlife sightings just outside the museum, look out for grey foxes, desert cottontails, and relict leopard frogs. Kim Windyka, Daily Intelligencer, 16 June 2018 Just north of downtown, the Roosevelt District is an amalgam of older, relict neighborhoods. Michael Kiefer, azcentral, 7 Apr. 2018 Only upon understanding their backstory do these relict cityscapes become rational and elucidating. Richard Campanella, NOLA.com, 10 May 2017 Word History Etymology Noun in sense 1, from Middle English relicte, from Late Latin relicta, from Latin, feminine of relictus, past participle of relinquere; in senses 2 & 3, from relict residual, adjective, from Latin relictus First Known Use Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective 1587, in the meaning defined above
随便看	Saint Martin's bird Saint Martin's Day Saint Martin's summer Saint Marys Saint Maurice Saint Moritz saint nich Saint Nicholas's clerk Saint Pancras saint pat Saint Patrick's Day Saint Paul saint paulite saint pe Saint Peter and Saint Paul Rocks Saint Peter Port Saint Peter's fish Saint Peter, Lake Saint Peters Saint Petersburg saint si Saint Simons Island saint thom saint thomas Saint Thomas

relict

noun

adjective

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History