RELAY

relay

(noun) the act of passing something along from one person or group to another; “the relay was successful”

relay, electrical relay

(noun) electrical device such that current flowing through it in one circuit can switch on and off a current in a second circuit

relay, relay race

(noun) a race between teams; each member runs or swims part of the distance

relay

(noun) a fresh team to relieve weary draft animals

relay

(noun) a crew of workers who relieve another crew

relay

(verb) pass along; “Please relay the news to the villagers”

relay

(verb) control or operate by relay

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

relay (plural relays)

(hunting, now rare) A new set of hounds. [from 15th c.]

(now chiefly, historical) A new set of horses kept along a specific route so that they can replace animals that are tired. [from 17th c.]

(by extension) A new set of anything.

A series of vehicles travelling in sequence. [from 18th c.]

(athletics) A track and field discipline where runners take turns in carrying a baton from start to finish. Most common events are 4x100 meter and 4x400 meter competitions. [from 19th c.]

(electronics) An electrical actuator that allows a relatively small electrical voltage or current to control a larger voltage or current. [from 19th c.]

Verb

relay (third-person singular simple present relays, present participle relaying, simple past and past participle relayed)

(obsolete, intransitive, hunting) To release a new set of hounds. [15th-17th c.]

(transitive, now rare) To place (people or horses) in relays, such that one can take over from another. [from 18th c.]

(intransitive, now rare) To take on a new relay of horses; to change horses. [from 19th c.]

(transitive) To pass on or transfer (information). [from 19th c.]

Synonyms

• (to relay a message): convey

Etymology 2

Verb

relay (third-person singular simple present relays, present participle relaying, simple past and past participle relaid)

Alternative spelling of re-lay

Anagrams

• Arely, Arley, Early, Layer, Leary, Raley, Rayle, early, layer, leary

Source: Wiktionary


Re*lay" (r-l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Relaid (-ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Relaying.] Etym: [Pref re- + lay, v.]

Definition: To lay again; to lay a second time; as, to relay a pavement.

Re*lay" (r-l"), n. Etym: [F. relais (cf. OF. relais relaxation, discontinuance, It. rilascio release, relief, rilasso relay), fr. OF. relaissier to abandon, release, fr. L. relaxare. See Relax.]

1. A supply of anything arranged beforehand for affording relief from time to time, or at successive stages; provision for successive relief. Specifically: (a) A supply of horses placced at stations to be in readiness to relieve others, so that a trveler may proceed without delay. (b) A supply of hunting dogs or horses kept in readiness at certain places to relive the tired dogs or horses, and to continnue the pursuit of the game if it comes that way. (c) A number of men who relieve others in carrying on some work.

2. (Elec.)

Definition: In various forms of telegrapfhic apparatus, a megnet which receives the circuit current, and is caused by it to bring into into action the power of a local battery for performing the work of making the record; also, a similar device by which the current in one circuit is made to open or close another circuit in which a current is passing. Relay battery (Elec.), the local battery which is brought into use by the action of the relay magnet, or relay.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

25 April 2024

TYPIFY

(verb) embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of; “The fugue typifies Bach’s style of composition”


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You can overdose on coffee if you drink about 30 cups in a brief period to get close to a lethal dosage of caffeine.

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