noun

1. a fresh supply of dogs, horses, etc. kept in readiness to relieve others in a hunt, on a journey, etc.
2. a crew of workers relieving others at work; shift
3. 1. relay race
   2. any of the legs, or laps, of a relay race
4. an act or instance of conveying or transmitting by or as by relays
5. servomotor
6. Electronics an electromagnetic or electronic switching device activated by a signal and usually used to control a large current or to activate another device or circuit

Etymology: ME relai < MFr relais, pl., orig., hounds kept as reserves at points along the course of a hunt < relaier, to leave behind < re- (see re-) + laier, to leave, let: see delay

transitive verb relayed -·layed′, relaying -·lay′·ing

1. to convey by relays
2. to convey as if by relays; receive and pass on (a message, news, etc.)
3. to supply or replace with a relay or relays
4. Elec. to control, operate, or send on by a relay