relay 1
n. /ree"lay/ ; v. /ree"lay, ri lay"/ , n. , v. , relayed, relaying .
n.
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.
a. See relay race .
b. a length or leg in a relay race.
4. Mach. 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. Elect. 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. ( cap. ) U.S. Aerospace. one of an early series of experimental low-altitude, active communications satellites.
v.t.
7. to carry forward by or as if by relays: to relay a message.
8. to provide with or replace by fresh relays.
9. Elect. to retransmit (a signal, message, etc.) by or as if by means of a telegraphic relay.
v.i.
10. Elect. to retransmit a signal or message electronically.
[ 1375-1425; (v.) late ME relaien to unleash fresh hounds in a hunt relaier, OF: to leave behind, RELEASE, equiv. to re- RE- + laier to leave, dial. var. of laissier laxare (see RELAX); (n.) late ME relai set of fresh hounds relaier ]
relay 2
/ree lay"/ , v.t., relaid, relaying .
re-lay.