reliquary

[ rel-i-kwer-ee ]

/ ˈrɛl ɪˌkwɛr i /

a repository or receptacle for relics.

Origin of reliquary

1650–60; < Middle French reliquaire < Medieval Latin reliquiārium, equivalent to Latin reliqui(ae) remains (see relic) + -ārium -ary

Every January 1, the priest would lead a procession with the relic and its 18th-century reliquary.

Happy Holy Circumcision Day! |David Farley |December 31, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Father Thomas Michelet, having accompanied the reliquary from Sainte-Baume to New York, was surprised by the turnout.

Mary Magdalene and Me |Tracy Quan |November 10, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Every Breton churchyard worthy of the name has its reliquary or bone-house.

Legends & Romances of Brittany |Lewis Spence
"Don Louis still has your reliquary," he muttered in so low a voice that she guessed the words rather than heard them.

The Gold-Seekers |Gustave Aimard

The acorn was a sort of reliquary in which the miraculous power of the idea was somehow enshrined.

Three Philosophical Poets |George Santayana
Some portion of this miraculous blood was preserved in a phial, which was set in a reliquary and placed upon the altar.

Tyrol and its People |Clive Holland
The sacred bones, found by King René, were enclosed in a reliquary, which has never ceased to perform miracles.

King of Camargue |Jean Aicard

reliquary

/ (ˈrɛlɪkwərɪ) /

a receptacle or repository for relics, esp relics of saints

C17: from Old French reliquaire, from relique relic