reliquary

noun

rel·​i·​quary ˈre-lə-ˌkwer-ē How to pronounce reliquary (audio)
plural reliquaries
: a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept

Examples of reliquary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Using neutron imaging preserved the pendant while revealing five small reliquary packages of silk and linen holding bone splinters. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2023 The most beautiful physical object is surely the casting mold for a sculpture of the rind of an enormous winter squash, presented as a reliquary atop a rough-hewn altar, that was the centerpiece of an uninhibited 1971 performance. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023 Hierophany & Hedge is a shop that sells cauldrons, crystals, candles, incense, eclipse reliquaries and other hermetic devices, magic books, Pharaonic tomb and other exotic reagents, talismans, wands and more. Charles Infosino, The Enquirer, 10 May 2023 Hiller gave it to his son, Paul, who in 1911 supposedly transferred it to a new reliquary. oregonlive, 26 Mar. 2023 The reliquary that outlasts the bone of the saint. Rick Barot, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2023 The next day, my boyfriend and I decided to explore the pocket-sized town of Irgoli, taking in its colorful street murals and its magnificent San Nicola church, which houses a reliquary containing what is believed to be a thorn from the crown of Jesus. Siobhan Reid, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2022 While the pitch clock, bigger bases and limited pickoff throws are all new rules the Rangers, and all of baseball, must adjust to, there are two areas in which Bochy excelled that are now stored in the reliquary of rule changes. Dallas News, 15 Feb. 2023 The head of a bishop’s staff, a reliquary, and small sculptures depicting religious figures are among the hundreds of walrus ivory artifacts that have been found at medieval sites across Europe. Zach Zorich, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reliquary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French reliquaire, from Medieval Latin reliquiarium, from reliquia relic — more at relic

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reliquary was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near reliquary

Cite this Entry

“Reliquary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliquary. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reliquary

noun
rel·​i·​quary ˈrel-ə-ˌkwer-ē How to pronounce reliquary (audio)
plural reliquaries
: a small box or shrine in which sacred relics are kept

More from Merriam-Webster on reliquary

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!