[rel.ic] n [ME relik, fr. OF relique, fr. ML reliquia, fr. LL reliquiae, pl., remains of a martyr, fr. L, remains, fr. relinquere to leave behind--more at relinquish] (13c) 1 a: an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr b: souvenir, memento
2. pl: remains, corpse
3: a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance
4: a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief