relay

¹

[ noun ree-ley; verb ree-ley, ri-ley ]

noun

1. a series of persons relieving one another or taking turns; shift.
2. a fresh set of dogs or horses posted in readiness for use in a hunt, on a journey, etc.
3. Sports.
   1. relay race.
   2. a length or leg in a relay race.
4. Machinery. an automatic control device in which the settings of valves, switches, etc., are regulated by a powered element, as a motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism actuated by a smaller, sensitive element.
5. Electricity. a device, usually consisting of an electromagnet and an armature, by which a change of current or voltage in one circuit is used to make or break a connection in another circuit or to affect the operation of other devices in the same or another circuit.
6. (initial capital letter) U.S. Aerospace. one of an early series of experimental low-altitude, active communications satellites.

verb (used with object)

, re·layed, re·lay·ing.

1. to carry forward by or as if by relays:

   to relay a message.

2. to provide with or replace by fresh relays.
3. Electricity. to retransmit (a signal, message, etc.) by or as if by means of a telegraphic relay.

verb (used without object)

, re·layed, re·lay·ing.

1. Electricity. to retransmit a signal or message electronically.

relay

²

[ ree-ley ]

verb (used with object)

, re·laid, re·lay·ing.

1. re-lay.

relay

noun

1. a person or team of people relieving others, as on a shift
2. a fresh team of horses, dogs, etc, posted at intervals along a route to relieve others
3. the act of relaying or process of being relayed
4. 1. short for relay race
   2. one of the sections of a relay race
5. an automatic device that controls the setting of a valve, switch, etc, by means of an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism
6. electronics an electrical device in which a small change in current or voltage controls the switching on or off of circuits or other devices
7. radio
   1. a combination of a receiver and transmitter designed to receive radio signals and retransmit them, in order to extend their range
   2. ( as modifier )

      a relay station

verb

1. to carry or spread (something, such as news or information) by relays
2. to supply or replace with relays
3. to retransmit (a signal) by means of a relay
4. to broadcast (a performance) by sending out signals through a transmitting station

   this concert is being relayed from the Albert Hall

relay

/ rē′lā /

1. An electrical switch that is operated by an electromagnet, such as a solenoid. When a small current passes through the electromagnet's coiled wire, it produces a magnetic field that attracts a movable iron bar, causing it to pivot and open or close the switch.

Word History and Origins

Origin of relay¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; (for the verb) late Middle English relaien “to unleash fresh hounds in a hunt,” from Middle French relaier, Old French: “to leave behind, release,” from re- re- + laier “to leave” (dialectal variant of laissier, from Latin laxāre; relax ); (for the noun) late Middle English relai “set of fresh hounds,” from Middle French, derivative of relaier

Word History and Origins

Origin of relay¹

C15 relaien , from Old French relaier to leave behind, from re- + laier to leave, ultimately from Latin laxāre to loosen; see relax

Example Sentences

Digging into the neural pathways behind these differences, the team found that the electro-needle jab on the belly was able to fine-tune the activity of neurons in pain and inflammation-relays between the spleen and the spine.

From Singularity Hub 

Every week, Thompson drives to Monte Vista Village, relaying cherry-filled packages to a caregiver, while her mom stands outside her door and waves.

From Voice of San Diego

The signal gets relayed across multiple nearby balloons that transmit it back down to peoples’ phones and other devices.

From Singularity Hub 

All I can relay is that we will be listening in and reviewing what is said today.

From Voice of San Diego

The system will relay a much wider range of data than previous tracking technologies, logging not just an animal’s location but also its physiology and environment.

From Singularity Hub 

When asked how she feels about paving the way for abortion education on the Internet, Steinauer was quick to relay her enthusiasm.

From The Daily Beast

Pippa and and her brother are part of a team of eight cyclists, and will be riding three hours a day each in relay.

From The Daily Beast

Defendants instead had an assistant relay to Raimondi that Olenicoff had a change of heart about the sculptures.

From The Daily Beast

Teams generally race in a relay format with one racer always on the road.

From The Daily Beast

He asserts that the CEO admitted to flaws in the system on an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) in October 2013.

From The Daily Beast

So he kept on, posting the last of the mermen in his mental relay well away from the city, but swimming upstream himself.

From Project Gutenberg

At each relay the reporters descended from their carriage and found themselves with Michael.

From Project Gutenberg

The drop or relay controls a local circuit composed of an open-circuit battery and an ordinary vibrating bell.

From Project Gutenberg

An ordinary telegraph relay may be used in connection with the closed-circuit alarm.

From Project Gutenberg

The alarm switches are all connected in series in this case and in circuit with a closed-circuit battery and relay or drop.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• broadcast
• carry
• communicate
• deliver
• hand over
• send
• turn over