relic
UK[ˈrelɪk]US[ˈrelɪk]
n
an object, tradition, or system from the past that continues to exist
n
a part of the body or something that belonged to a holy person, kept and respected as a religious object
Etymology
the english word 'relic' entered the language in the early 13th century via old french 'relique', which itself derived from latin 'reliquiae', meaning 'remains' or 'remnants'. this latin term originates from the verb 'relinquere', meaning 'to leave behind' or 'to abandon', which is composed of the prefix 're-' (indicating an intensive force) and 'linquere' (to leave). the core semantic journey is from the literal act of leaving something behind to the concept of a surviving object from a past era or person, particularly one venerated for its sacred or historical associations.
Analysis
the word 'relic' is a simplex loanword from latin. it does not contain separable morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
the museum displayed a relic from the ancient roman settlement.
the old law is a relic of a bygone era and is rarely enforced.
pilgrims traveled to the cathedral to see the relic of the saint.