What is the definition of 'reliction'?

Reliction refers specifically to the gradual recession of water from a body of water, which results in the emergence of previously submerged land. This process can occur over time due to natural events, such as drought, which would lower water levels and expose land that was once underwater. The newly exposed land can become available for various uses, including development or agriculture.

Understanding the context of this term is essential in land surveying, as it affects property boundaries and land rights. When water recedes, the boundary of a property may change, and knowledge of reliction is crucial for determining who holds title to the new land formed from the receded water. This term contrasts with sudden changes caused by floods or storms, where the loss of land happens abruptly rather than gradually.