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reliquiae

American  
[ri-lik-wee-ee] / rɪˈlɪk wiˌi /

noun

(used with a plural verb)
  1. remains, as those of fossil organisms.


reliquiae British  
/ rɪˈlɪkwɪˌiː /

plural noun

  1. archaic fossil remains of animals or plants

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of reliquiae

From Latin, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at relic


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The ground was trampled by many hoofs; fragments of paper—powder-blackened—broken rocket-sticks, and half-burnt fuses, strewed the sward—the pyrotechnic reliquiae of the fiendish spectacle.

From The War Trail The Hunt of the Wild Horse by Mayne Reid

Steep shelving walls strewed with shells and the reliquiae of hippopotami, environed this singular basin, which appeared to be fathomless, and to measure a mile and a half in circumference.

From The Highlands of Ethiopia by William Cornwallis Harris

Unfortunately Leland’s words S. Wilfridi reliquiae sub arcu prope magnum altare sepultae are too vague to decide its exact position.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Ripon A Short History of the Church and a Description of Its Fabric by Cecil Walter Charles Hallett

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