- relic (n.)
- early 13c., "body part or other object from a holy person," from Old French relique (11c.), from Late Latin reliquiæ (plural) "remains of a martyr," in classical Latin "remains, remnants," noun use of fem. plural 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.