n. 1. Ecology A species that inhabits a much smaller geographic area than it did in the past, often because of environmental change. 2. Something that has survived; a remnant. 3. Law A widow or widower. adj. Geology Of or relating to something that has survived, as structures or minerals after destructive processes. [From Middle English relicte, left undisturbed, from Latin relictus, past participle of relinquere, to leave behind; see RELINQUISH. Sense 3, Middle English relicte, from Medieval Latin relicta, from feminine past participle of Latin relinquere.] |
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