̘. ̈n.rɪˈleɪ 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. ørelay 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]