relique etymology

Etymology

  • Old French: relique
  • Latin: reliquiae (plural), meaning "remains, relics"
  • Proto-Indo-European: *leikw-, meaning "to leave behind"

Meaning

A relic is:

  • An object or part of an object associated with a holy person or event.
  • A thing or practice that survives from an earlier time.
  • A trace or remnant of something past.

Origin

The word "relic" entered the English language in the 13th century, borrowed from Old French. The Old French term relique ultimately derives from the Latin reliquiae, which referred to items left behind by the dead, especially those of saints or martyrs.

The concept of preserving relics as objects of veneration has its roots in early Christian tradition. Christians believed that the remains of saints and martyrs possessed miraculous powers and could intercede on their behalf with God. Relics were often used as devotional objects, placed in churches and shrines for pilgrims to venerate.

Over time, the term "relic" expanded to include not only the physical remains of holy individuals but also objects that had been associated with them, such as their clothing, tools, and possessions. Relics became important symbols of the faith and were often collected and displayed as a way to connect with the divine.

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