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relict

 - 4 dictionary results

rel⋅ict

  [rel-ikt]
Use relict in a Sentence
–noun
1. Ecology. a species or community living in an environment that has changed from that which is typical for it.
2. a remnant or survivor.
3. a widow.
Origin:
1525–35; < ML relicta widow, n. use of fem. of L relictus, ptp. of relinquere to relinquish
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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rel·ict   (rěl'ĭkt, rĭ-lĭkt')   
n.  

  1. Ecology An organism or species of an earlier time surviving in an environment that has undergone considerable change.

  2. Something that has survived; a remnant.

  3. A widow.

adj.   Geology
Of or relating to something that has survived, as structures or minerals after destructive processes.

[From Middle English relicte, left undisturbed, from Latin relictus, past participle of relinquere, to leave behind; see relinquish. Sense 3, Middle English relicte, from Medieval Latin relicta, from feminine past participle of Latin relinquere.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

relict 
"widow," c.1460, from M.L. relicta "widow," noun use of fem. of relictus "abandoned, left behind," prop. pp. of L. relinquere "to leave behind" (see relinquish).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

relict rel·ict (rěl'ĭkt, rĭ-lĭkt')
n.
Something that has survived; a remnant.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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