n.1 an object interesting because of its age or association.
2 a part of a deceased holy person's body or belongings kept as an object of reverence.
3 a surviving custom or belief etc. from a past age.
4 a memento or souvenir.
5 (in pl.) what has survived destruction or wasting or use.
6 (in pl.) the dead body or remains of a person.
Etymology: ME relike, relique, etc. f. OF relique f. L reliquiae: see RELIQUIAE