Word Study
relict
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun relict has 2 senses
- relict(n = noun.plant) - an organism or species surviving as a remnant of an otherwise extinct flora or fauna in an environment much changed from that in which it originated; is a kind of being, organism
- relict(n = noun.object) - geological feature that is a remnant of a pre-existing formation after other parts have disappeared; is a kind of formation, geological formation
CIDE DICTIONARY
relict, n. [L. relicta, fr. of relictus, p. p. of relinquere to leave behind. See Relinquish.].
A woman whose husband is dead; a widow. [1913 Webster]
"Eli dying without issue, Jacob was obliged by law to marry his relict, and so to raise up seed to his brother Eli."
[1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
relict, n.
1 a a geological or other object surviving in its primitive form. b an animal or plant known to have existed in the same form in previous geological ages.
2 (foll. by of) archaic a widow.
1 a a geological or other object surviving in its primitive form. b an animal or plant known to have existed in the same form in previous geological ages.
2 (foll. by of) archaic a widow.
Etymology
L relinquere relict- leave behind (as RE-, linquere leave): sense 2 f. OF relicte f. L relicta
ROGET THESAURUS
relict
Divorce
N divorce, divorcement, separation, judicial separation, separate maintenance, separatio a mensa et thoro, separatio a vinculo matrimonii, trial separation, breakup, annulment, widowhood, viduity, weeds, widow, widower, relict, dowager, divorcee, cuckold, grass widow, grass widower, merry widow.
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