relict: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “relict” mean?
A surviving remnant of something that was once more widespread or abundant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surviving remnant of something that was once more widespread or abundant; a widow.
In biology/geology: a species, community, or geological feature that has survived from an earlier period while others of its type have become extinct or disappeared. In social contexts: a widow, especially one left by a prominent or wealthy man (archaic/formal).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use the technical sense in science. The archaic 'widow' sense is equally obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, the technical sense is neutral. The archaic 'widow' sense can sound formal, legalistic, or dated.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, primarily confined to academic/technical writing (biology, geology, ecology). Almost never used in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “relict” in a Sentence
relict of [a past era/condition]relict from [a specific period]relict [noun] (e.g., relict species)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “relict” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb use]
American English
- [No standard verb use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb use]
American English
- [No standard adverb use]
adjective
British English
- The relict pine forest is a remnant of the post-glacial landscape.
- They studied the relict magnetic signatures in the ancient rock.
American English
- The relict wetland species is isolated in a few mountain valleys.
- This is a relict landform from when the river flowed differently.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, geology, ecology, and archaeology to describe surviving entities from past conditions (e.g., 'a relict species from the last ice age').
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would likely be misunderstood.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Precise term for a surviving feature from an earlier state.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “relict”
- Using it as a synonym for 'relic' in all contexts (a relic is an object, a relict is often a living/systemic survivor).
- Pronouncing it as /rɪˈlɪkt/ (correct is /ˈrɛlɪkt/).
- Using the archaic 'widow' sense in modern writing without historical context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While related, a 'relic' is typically a material object from the past (a relic of war). 'Relict' is used for surviving systems, species, or features (a relict ecosystem). 'Relict' is more technical.
This is an archaic, formal, or legal usage. In modern English, it is very rare and could sound odd or dated. Use 'widow' instead.
Primarily in biology (relict species), geology/geomorphology (relict landforms, relict permafrost), and ecology (relict communities). Also in archaeology and historical linguistics.
It is pronounced /ˈrɛlɪkt/ (REL-ikt), with stress on the first syllable, in both British and American English. It does not rhyme with 'depicted'.
A surviving remnant of something that was once more widespread or abundant.
Relict is usually formal, technical, archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RELIC that has been selecTively preserved. RELICT = RELIC + (selec)T.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FOSSIL IN THE PRESENT (something preserved from the past and existing in the current world).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'relict' most appropriately used today?