• vi. 轉播；接替
• n. [電] 繼電器；接替，接替人員；驛馬
• vt. 轉播；使接替；分程傳遞

來自中古法語 relai,留下供接替的狗或其它動物，來自中法語 relaier,留下，供替換的動物， 來自 re-,向后，laier,留下，詞源同 delay,可能來自拉丁語 laxare,松開，詞源同 lax,relax.原指 過去打獵時在中轉站放置的供接替疲勞獵狗的備用狗，或驛站供接替的馬。后引申諸多詞義。 由于詞義與 lay 接近，拼寫受到 lay 影響。

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.

relay (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.

1. Britain's prospects of beating the United States in the relay looked poor.

英國要在接力賽中戰勝美國，前景看上去并不那么樂觀。

來自柯林斯例句

2. This metal tower is used to relay television signals to distant villages.

這個金屬塔是用于向遙遠的村子轉播電視訊號的.

來自《簡明英漢詞典》

3. Messengers will relay your letters.

郵遞員將接轉你的信件.

來自《簡明英漢詞典》

4. They will relay your message.

他們會轉達你的口信.

來自《簡明英漢詞典》

5. Lewis has recently recovered his fitness and will clash with Christie in the 4x100m relay.

劉易斯近來恢復了狀態，將在4×100米接力賽中和克里斯蒂一決雌雄。

來自柯林斯例句