In the 16th century, relict meant "an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr," but that meaning is now covered by "relic," a related word that can also refer to something …

In geology, a relict is a structure or mineral from a parent rock that did not undergo metamorphosis when the surrounding rock did, or a rock that survived a destructive geologic process.

There are 15 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun relict, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

relict an animal or plant surviving in one area after becoming extinct else-where; a survival of an earlier period. — relict, adj. See also: Animals

Dec 11, 2025 · relict (plural relicts) (formal) Something that, or someone who, survives or remains or is left over after the loss of others; a relic. (archaic) The surviving member of a married couple after one …

Definition of 'relict' relict in British English (ˈrɛlɪkt ) noun 1. ecology

RELICT definition: a species or community living in an environment that has changed from that which is typical for it. See examples of relict used in a sentence.

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Ecology A species that inhabits a much smaller geographic area than it did in the past, often because of environmental change. 2. Something that has survived; a remnant. 3. Law A widow or widower. Of or …

Relict definition: Of or relating to something that has survived, as structures or minerals after destructive processes.