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.
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.