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Relict - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A relict is something that has survived from an earlier time, often remaining as the last trace of a vanished species, culture, or geological feature. It highlights continuity amid change.

relict

/ˈrɛlɪkt/ /ˈrɛlɪkt/

Definition:

A surviving remnant of something ancient or no longer common.

Synonyms:

remnant, survivor, vestige, leftover

Part of Speech:

noun, adjective

Antonyms:

innovation, novelty

Common Collocations:

relict species, relict population, relict feature

Derivatives:

reliction, relictual

Usage Tips:

Use "relict" to describe something surviving from an earlier time, often in biology or geology.

Common Phrases:

relict of the past, living relict, relict species

Etymology:

From Latin "relictus," meaning "left behind," past participle of "relinquere" (to leave).

Examples:

  • 1. The forest is a relict of ancient woodlands untouched by humans.
  • 2. This snail is a relict species from the Ice Age.
  • 3. The temple stands as a relict of a forgotten civilization.
  • 4. Geologists study relict landforms to understand Earth's history.

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