relay
1[ noun ree-ley; verb ree-ley, ri-ley ]
/ noun ˈri leɪ; verb ˈri leɪ, rɪˈleɪ /
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noun
verb (used with object), re·layed, re·lay·ing.
verb (used without object), re·layed, re·lay·ing.
Electricity. to retransmit a signal or message electronically.
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Origin of relay
11375–1425; (v.) late Middle English relaien to unleash fresh hounds in a hunt <Middle French relaier,Old French: to leave behind, release, equivalent to re-re- + laier to leave, dialectal variant of laissier<Latin laxāre (see relax); (noun) late Middle English relai set of fresh hounds <Middle French, derivative of relaier
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Other definitions for relay (3 of 3)
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-lay
re-lay , relayDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use relay in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for relay
relay
noun (ˈriːleɪ)
verb (rɪˈleɪ) (tr)
Word Origin for relay
C15 relaien, from Old French relaier to leave behind, from re- + laier to leave, ultimately from Latin laxāre to loosen; see relax
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for relay
relay
[ rē′lā ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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