Meaning of the word relict in English

What does relict mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

relict

US /ˈrɛlɪkt/
UK /ˈrɛlɪkt/

Noun

a survivor or remnant of an otherwise extinct group of organisms

Example:
The coelacanth is considered a living relict, a fish thought to be extinct for millions of years.
The small community was a cultural relict of an ancient civilization.

Adjective

remaining as a survivor or remnant

Example:
The relict population of plants survived in a secluded valley.
Geologists studied the relict features of the ancient landscape.