relic

/ˈrelɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrelɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈre-lik/ (ame, mw)

relic — noun

  • relicsingular
  • relicsplural

1. something such as an old object, custom, or social arrangement that has remained

1.名詞C1
釋義

something such as an old object, custom, or social arrangement that has remained into the present even though it belongs to an earlier time.

例句

The stone gate is a relic from the days when the city had walls.

pattern: relic from the days when ...

Many workers saw the rule as a relic of the old factory system.

pattern: relic of an old system

同義詞
  • holdover

    best for an old practice, rule, or person that remains after change

  • remnant

    stresses that only a small part is left

  • artifact

    narrower; usually a human-made historical object rather than a custom or system

反義詞
  • innovation

    something newly introduced rather than carried over from the past

文法句型

relic of [earlier time/system]

relic from [period/place]

用法筆記

Often used when an old rule, building, or custom has survived after the world around it changed. The tone is often mildly critical or amused, unlike sense 3, which is personal and affectionate.

常見錯誤

❌My grandparents' sofa is a relic because it is worth a lot of money.
✅My grandparents' sofa is an antique because it is worth a lot of money.
💡sense 1 is about something left from an earlier time or system, not simply any valuable old object.

2. a body part, piece of clothing, or personal possession linked to a saint, martyr

2.名詞C1
釋義

a body part, piece of clothing, or personal possession linked to a saint, martyr, or other holy figure and kept for prayer or special honour.

例句

Pilgrims waited quietly to see a relic said to belong to Saint Brigid.

pattern: relic said to belong to + saint

The abbey keeps a small bone relic inside a glass box.

collocation: bone relic

同義詞
  • sacred object

    broader; can be any respected religious item, not specifically linked to a saint's remains or belongings

  • holy remains

    focuses more narrowly on bodily remains rather than clothing or possessions

文法句型

relic of [saint/person]

holy relic

用法筆記

Usually appears in religious or historical contexts, especially with words like saint, shrine, altar, or pilgrimage. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about sacred respect, not simply age.

常見錯誤

❌The museum shop sells relics of famous singers.
✅The museum shop sells souvenirs of famous singers.
💡a relic in this sense is a sacred object linked to a holy person, not ordinary celebrity merchandise.

3. an old thing someone keeps because it carries personal memories or feelings, not

3.名詞C1
釋義

an old thing someone keeps because it carries personal memories or feelings, not because it is useful or valuable.

例句

Hao keeps the watch his father wore as a relic of their fishing trips.

pattern: keep as a relic of ...

Élise found the concert ticket again and smiled at the old relic.

同義詞
  • memento

    neutral word for something kept to remember a person or event

  • keepsake

    warmer and more everyday than relic

  • souvenir

    usually bought or collected from a trip or event rather than kept for deep family feeling

文法句型

keep as a relic

relic of [memory/time]

用法筆記

Often refers to ordinary objects made special by family or personal memory, such as a ticket, toy, or letter. Distinguish from sense 1: the value here is emotional, not historical.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a relic at the airport for my sister.
✅I bought a souvenir at the airport for my sister.
💡sense 3 is a personal object you keep because of memories, not a gift you buy for someone else.