re-lay

[ree-ley] /riˈleɪ/
verb (used with object), re-laid, re-laying.
1.
to lay again.
Also, relay.
Origin
1580-90; re- + lay1
Can be confused
re-lay, relay.

relay1

[n. ree-ley; v. ree-ley, ri-ley] /n. ˈri leɪ; v. ˈri leɪ, rɪˈleɪ/
noun
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.
  1. relay race.
  2. a length or leg in a relay race.
4.
Machinery. 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.
Electricity. 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.
(initial capital letter) U.S. Aerospace. one of an early series of experimental low-altitude, active communications satellites.
verb (used with object), relayed, relaying.
7.
to carry forward by or as if by relays:
to relay a message.
8.
to provide with or replace by fresh relays.
9.
Electricity. to retransmit (a signal, message, etc.) by or as if by means of a telegraphic relay.
verb (used without object), relayed, relaying.
10.
Electricity. to retransmit a signal or message electronically.
Origin
1375-1425; (v.) late Middle English relaien to unleash fresh hounds in a hunt < Middle French relaier, Old French: to leave behind, release, equivalent to re- re- + laier to leave, dialectal variant of laissier < Latin laxāre (see relax); (noun) late Middle English relai set of fresh hounds < Middle French, derivative of relaier

relay2

[ree-ley] /riˈleɪ/
verb (used with object), relaid, relaying.
1.
re-lay.
Examples from the web for relay
  • One relay swimmer was posing on the starting block, flexing both arms at the crowd.
  • One faculty member called me to relay the unhappy news.
  • The jaws are riddled with small holes through which nerve bundles can relay electrical messages from the domes to the brain.
  • The plan is familiar: park an antenna high in the stratosphere and then relay signals to and from devices below.
  • Hooking up the relay was technologically simple but physically challenging.
  • Along the relay route the flame is carried in a special lantern, closely guarded to make sure the light never goes out.
  • If she suddenly can't relay correct info from the patient, she probably is not.
  • Glucocorticoid receptors relay signals from stress hormones in the blood into cells.
  • They are also meant to be a form of computer that can hold images and relay messages.
  • And it will be studded with sensors that relay tactile information about the outside world to the somatosensory cortex.
British Dictionary definitions for relay

relay

noun (ˈriːleɪ)
1.
a person or team of people relieving others, as on a shift
2.
a fresh team of horses, dogs, etc, posted at intervals along a route to relieve others
3.
the act of relaying or process of being relayed
4.
  1. short for relay race
  2. one of the sections of a relay race
5.
an automatic device that controls the setting of a valve, switch, etc, by means of an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism
6.
(electronics) an electrical device in which a small change in current or voltage controls the switching on or off of circuits or other devices
7.
(radio)
  1. a combination of a receiver and transmitter designed to receive radio signals and retransmit them, in order to extend their range
  2. (as modifier): a relay station
verb (transitive) (rɪˈleɪ)
8.
to carry or spread (something, such as news or information) by relays
9.
to supply or replace with relays
10.
to retransmit (a signal) by means of a relay
11.
(Brit) to broadcast (a performance) by sending out signals through a transmitting station: this concert is being relayed from the Albert Hall
Word Origin
C15 relaien, from Old French relaier to leave behind, from re- + laier to leave, ultimately from Latin laxāre to loosen; see relax
Word Origin and History for relay
n.

late 14c., "hounds placed along a line of chase," from Middle French relai "reserve pack of hounds or other animals" (13c.), from Old French relaier "to exchange tired animals for fresh," literally "leave behind," from re- "back" (see re-) + laier "to leave" (see delay (v.)). The etymological sense is "to leave (dogs) behind (in order to take fresh ones)." Of horses, 1650s. Electromagnetic sense first recorded 1860. As a type of foot-race, it is attested from 1898.

v.

c.1400, "to set a pack of (fresh) hounds after a quarry;" also "change horses," from Old French relaiier, from relai (see relay (n.)). Related: Relayed; relaying.

re-lay

v.

"to lay again," 1590s, from re- + lay (v.). Related: Re-laid; re-laying.

relay in Science
relay
  (rē'lā)   
An electrical switch that is operated by an electromagnet, such as a solenoid. When a small current passes through the electromagnet's coiled wire, it produces a magnetic field that attracts a movable iron bar, causing it to pivot and open or close the switch.