noun

1. a narrating, recounting, or telling
2. what is narrated or told; account; recital
3. connection or manner of being connected or related, as in thought, meaning, etc.
4. connection of persons by blood, marriage, etc.; kinship
5. a person connected with another or others by blood, marriage, etc.; member of the same family; relative
6. 1. the connections or dealings between or among persons in business or private affairs
   2. sexual intercourse
   3. the connections or dealings between or among groups, peoples, nations, states, etc. foreign and trade relations
7. Law
   1. the statement of a relator at whose complaint an action is begun
   2. the referring of an act or proceeding to a time before its completion or enactment, as the time of its taking effect

Etymology: ME relacion < MFr or L: MFr relation < L relatio: see relate