n. & v.
n. 1 a fresh set of people or horses substituted for tired ones. 2 a gang of workers, supply of material, etc., deployed on the same basis (operated in relays). 3 = relay race. 4 a device activating changes in an electric circuit etc. in response to other changes affecting itself. 5 a a device to receive, reinforce, and transmit a telegraph message, broadcast programme, etc. b a relayed message or transmission.
v.tr. 1 receive (a message, broadcast, etc.) and transmit it to others. 2 a arrange in relays. b provide with or replace by relays. relay race a race between teams of which each member in turn covers part of the distance.
[ ME f. OF relai (n.), relayer (v.) (as RE-, laier ult. f. L laxare): cf. RELAX ]