—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.
Phrases and idioms:
relay race a race between teams of which each member in turn covers part of the distance.
Etymology: ME f. OF relai (n.), relayer (v.) (as RE-, laier ult. f. L laxare): cf. RELAX
Useful english dictionary. 2012.