Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Relay"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Relay \Re*lay"\, a. (Mach.)
Relating to, or having the characteristics of, an auxiliary
apparatus put into action by a feeble force but itself
capable of exerting greater force, used to control a
comparatively powerful machine or appliance. [Webster 1913
Suppl.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Relay \Re*lay"\ (r?-l?"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Relaid} (-l?d);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Relaying}.] [Pref. re- + lay, v.]
To lay again; to lay a second time; as, to relay a pavement.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Relay \Re*lay"\ (r?-l?"), n. [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 continue 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.) In various forms of telegraphic apparatus, a
magnet 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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
relay
n 1: the act of relaying something
2: electrical device such that current flowing through it in
one circuit can switch on and off a current in a second
circuit [syn: {electrical relay}]
v 1: pass along; "Please relay the news to the villagers"
2: control or operate by relay
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