relict

[ rel-ikt ]

noun

1. Ecology. a species or community living in an environment that has changed from that which is typical for it.
2. a remnant or survivor.
3. a widow.

relict

/ ˈrɛlɪkt /

noun

1. ecology
   1. a group of animals or plants that exists as a remnant of a formerly widely distributed group in an environment different from that in which it originated
   2. ( as modifier )

      a relict fauna

2. geology
   1. a mountain, lake, glacier, etc, that is a remnant of a pre-existing formation after a destructive process has occurred
   2. a mineral that remains unaltered after metamorphism of the rock in which it occurs
3. an archaic word for widow
4. an archaic word for relic

Word History and Origins

Origin of relict¹

1525–35; < Medieval Latin relicta widow, noun use of feminine of Latin relictus, past participle of relinquere to relinquish

Word History and Origins

Origin of relict¹

C16: from Latin relictus left behind, from relinquere to relinquish

Example Sentences

Discovering this relict ecosystem highlights the widespread impact past changes in the climate have had on the world’s coastlines, Ezcurra says, and it provides a chance to better understand how future sea level rise may affect these ecosystems.

From Science News

This supports our hypothesis that the San Pedro River mangroves are a relict from the last interglacial, some 120,000 years ago.

From Popular-Science

We hope scientists who study other types of organisms will explore this area and look for more relicts.

From Popular-Science

She was attired in the black calico riding-skirt and sunbonnet 443 which represented the mourning garb of the mountain relict.

From Project Gutenberg

We cannot but rejoice that in the present day there exists not the slightest relict of serfdom in any part of the United Kingdom.

From Project Gutenberg

To whose memory as an instance of her conjugal affection, Mary, his sorrowful relict, caused this monument to be erected.

From Project Gutenberg

He felt that he could not refuse the unexplained opportunity to pay at least his respects to the relict of his idol.

From Project Gutenberg

What brought me to consciousness was his fumbling with the buttons at the waist of that blue muslin relict of a sentiment.

From Project Gutenberg