Rel″ic (r?l″?k), n. [F. relique, from L. reliquiae, pl., akin to relinquere to leave behind. See Relinquish.] [Formerly written also relique.] 1. That which remains; that which is left after loss or decay; a remaining portion; a remnant. Chaucer. Wyclif.
The relics of lost innocence. Kebe.
The fragments, scraps, the bits and greasy relics. Shak.
2. The body from which the soul has departed; a corpse; especially, the body, or some part of the body, of a deceased saint or martyr; — usually in the plural when referring to the whole body.
There are very few treasuries of relics in Italy that have not a tooth or a bone of this saint. Addison.
Thy relics, Rowe, to this fair urn we trust,
And sacred place by Dryden's awful dust. Pope.
3. Hence, a memorial; anything preserved in remembrance; as, relics of youthful days or friendships.
The pearls were spilt;
Some lost, some stolen, some as relics kept. Tennyson.