1. a widow, especially an elderly one
Usage: archaic or formal
2. something that has survived from an earlier time; a remnant
Usage: formal
3. an organism or species surviving from an earlier period when it was more widespread
Usage: biology

1. surviving as a remnant of what once existed more widely
Usage: formal

Examples

• The elderly relict lived alone in the family mansion.
• Ancient stone circles are relicts of prehistoric civilizations.
• The panda is a relict species from a bygone era.
• Relict forests survive in protected mountain valleys.
• These customs are relicts of medieval traditions.
• The museum displayed relicts from the Roman occupation.
• Relict populations of the species exist only on remote islands.