1. Religious/Historical Artifact: This is the most common meaning. A relic is a tangible object that has a connection to a holy person, event, or time period. It is often venerated for its spiritual significance. Examples include:
* Religious Relics: A piece of clothing worn by a saint, a bone fragment, or a piece of the True Cross.
* Historical Relics: A sword used in a famous battle, a diary written by a historical figure, or an artifact from an ancient civilization.
2. Remnant: In a more general sense, a relic can be any remaining part of something that no longer exists or is no longer used. For example:
* Relics of a bygone era: An old photograph, a vintage car, or a piece of furniture from a past time period.
* Relics of a lost civilization: Ruins, pottery shards, or other remnants of a vanished culture.
3. Vestige: This meaning implies that the relic is a trace or sign of something that has disappeared or is no longer present. For example:
* Relics of past trauma: Recurring nightmares, anxiety, or physical symptoms.
* Relics of a failed relationship: Old love letters, photographs, or other reminders of a past love.
4. Figurative: In a metaphorical sense, "relics" can refer to something outdated, outmoded, or obsolete. For example:
* Relics of the past: Old-fashioned beliefs, practices, or ways of life.
* Relics of a bygone era: A typewriter, a rotary phone, or a cassette player.
To understand the precise meaning of "relics," you need to consider the context in which it is used.