reliquary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Literary / Technical (Ecclesiastical)
Quick answer
What does “reliquary” mean?
A container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept.
A receptacle, often ornate, designed to hold and display religious relics, such as the physical remains of a saint or objects associated with sacred figures. In extended metaphorical use, it can refer to any place or object that preserves items of historical or sentimental value.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Associated with historical churches, cathedrals, and museums in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “reliquary” in a Sentence
[the/adj.] reliquary [of/for + noun phrase][verb] the reliquary in/at + locationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reliquary” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A. No verb form exists.
American English
- N/A. No verb form exists.
adverb
British English
- N/A. No adverb form exists.
American English
- N/A. No adverb form exists.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The adjective is 'reliquarial' (rare).
American English
- N/A. The adjective is 'reliquarial' (rare).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in history, art history, religious studies, and archaeology texts discussing medieval artefacts or religious practices.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used when visiting a historic cathedral or museum.
Technical
Specific term in ecclesiastical art, museology, and conservation for classifying artefacts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reliquary”
- Misspelling as 'reliquery' or 'reliquiary'.
- Confusing it with a general 'shrine' (which can be a building or site).
- Using it for non-relic, non-sacred items sounds pretentious or incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its primary purpose is to hold, protect, and often publicly display sacred relics, facilitating veneration by the faithful.
No. A coffin holds an entire body for burial. A reliquary is typically smaller, designed to hold specific, often fragmentary, relics and is meant for display.
Yes, though it's a literary device. E.g., 'The old library was a reliquary of forgotten knowledge,' implying it preserves valued, perhaps outdated, things.
While most associated with Christianity (especially Catholicism and Orthodoxy), the concept of special containers for sacred objects exists in many religions, though the specific term 'reliquary' is Christian/Western.
A container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept.
Reliquary is usually formal / literary / technical (ecclesiastical) in register.
Reliquary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛlɪkw(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛləˌkwɛri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms directly using 'reliquary'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A RELIC is kept SECURE in a RELIQUARY (shares 'relic' root).
Conceptual Metaphor
A RELIQUARY IS A SACRED CONTAINER / A RELIQUARY IS A HISTORICAL VAULT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'reliquary' be most appropriately used?