- relic
- early 13c., "body part or other object from a holy person," from O.Fr. relique (11c.), from L.L. reliquiæ (pl.) "remains of a martyr," from L., "remains, remnants," noun use of fem. pl. of reliquus "remaining, that which remains," from re- "back" + root of linquere "to leave" (see relinquish). Sense of "remains, ruins" is from early 14c. Old English used reliquias, directly from Latin.