Wordcraft Community Home Page
Relict

This topic can be found at:
https://wordcraft.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/932607094/m/2560006166

March 14, 2013, 20:53
Kalleh
Relict
In my book, which takes place in the mid-1700s, they used the word relict to mean "widow":
quote:
On January 2. The Virginia Gazette reported the marriage: "Thomas Jefferson," Esquire, one of the Representatives for Albemarle, to Mrs. Martha Skelton, Relict of Mr. Bathurst Skelton."


Somehow, I'd hate to be thought of as a "relict." It sounds too close to "relic," which it is related to.
March 15, 2013, 05:14
<Proofreader>
I suppose a widow who remarries would be relict.
March 15, 2013, 18:25
Geoff
Is one who doesn't remarry derelict?


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
March 16, 2013, 08:38
zmježd
relict

Well, since the Latin participle it was borrowed from means 'left behind', I think that is an apt discription for a widow or a widower.


—Ceci n'est pas un seing.
March 16, 2013, 08:40
<Proofreader>
Only relict the left behind? That's inefficient.
March 16, 2013, 09:31
Geoff
OK, OK, Proof, you can lic the right behind too if you must. Big Grin


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
March 17, 2013, 20:55
Kalleh
quote:
Well, since the Latin participle it was borrowed from means 'left behind', I think that is an apt discription for a widow or a widower.
Well, it certainly is, isn't it?

Have any of you ever heard it used that way?
March 17, 2013, 23:31
arnie
quote:
Have any of you ever heard it used that way?

That's the only way I've ever seen it used. I can't remember seeing it used metaphorically although I suppose it could well be.


Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.