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Heirloom vs Relic - What's the difference?

heirloom | relic |

As nouns the difference between heirloom and relic

is that heirloom is a valued possession that has been passed down through the generations while relic is that which remains; that which is left after loss or decay; a remaining portion.

heirloom

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A valued possession that has been passed down through the generations.
  • A crop variety that has been passed down through generations of farmers by seed saving and cultivation.
  • * '>citation

    • Synonyms

    (valued possession passed down through the generations) patrimony

    See also

    * (wikipedia "heirloom")

    relic

    English

    (wikipedia relic)

    Alternative forms

    * relick (archaic) * relique

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • That which remains; that which is left after loss or decay; a remaining portion.
  • Something old kept for sentimental reasons.
  • (religion) A part of the body of a saint, or an ancient religious object, kept for veneration.

    • Usage notes

    By comparison with synonyms, relic' emphasizes ''age,'' and to some degree ''value'' – a “' relic of a lost civilization”.

    Synonyms

    * (that which remains) remnant, remainder, residue, lave * halidom

    Derived terms

    * Relic Sunday

    Related terms

    * delict * delinquent * derelict * relict * relinquish * reliquary

    External links

    * * *