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Entry 4 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Relay

/(r?-l?")/ · Re·lay · IPA /ɹiˈleɪ/
01 v. t. To lay again; to lay a second time; as, to relay a pavement.
imp. & p. p. Relaid; p. pr. & vb. n. Relaying
  1. 1.
    To lay again; to lay a second time; as, to relay a pavement.
02 n. A supply of anything arranged beforehand for affording relief from time to time, or at successive stages; provision for successive relief.
  1. 1.
    A supply of anything arranged beforehand for affording relief from time to time, or at successive stages; provision for successive relief.
  2. 2.
    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.(Elec.)
Phrases & compounds
Relay battery — the local battery which is brought into use by the action of the relay magnet, or relay.
03 a. Relating to, or having the characteristics of, an auxiliary apparatus put into action by a feeble force but itself capable of exerting grea…
  1. 1.
    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.(Mach.)