Reliquary
/ˈrɛlɪkwəri/noun
A container or shrine for sacred relics.
Did you know?The word comes from the same Latin root as *relic*, and medieval reliquaries were often jeweled, gold-encrusted objects meant to turn holy fragments into visible power.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
reliquiae
“remains, relics, what is left behind”
Late Latin
Latin
reliquiarium
“a container or place for relics”
Old French
Old French
reliquaire
“a receptacle for relics”
14th Century
English
reliquary
“a container for holy relics”
Modern English
English
reliquary
“a shrine or container for relics”