something left behind after decay, disintegration, or disappearance; a trace of something past
relics of ancient cities
a trace of something past, esp an outmoded custom, belief, or practice
a part of the body of or some object associated with a saint or martyr, or some object associated with them, that is preserved as an object of reverence
[Middle English relik via Old French from late Latin reliquiae (pl) remains of a martyr, from Latin relinquere: see relinquish]