• vi. 转播；接替
• n. [电] 继电器；接替，接替人员；驿马
• vt. 转播；使接替；分程传递

来自中古法语 relai,留下供接替的狗或其它动物，来自中法语 relaier,留下，供替换的动物， 来自 re-,向后，laier,留下，词源同 delay,可能来自拉丁语 laxare,松开，词源同 lax,relax.原指 过去打猎时在中转站放置的供接替疲劳猎狗的备用狗，或驿站供接替的马。后引申诸多词义。 由于词义与 lay 接近，拼写受到 lay 影响。

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.

英国要在接力赛中战胜美国，前景看上去并不那么乐观。

来自柯林斯例句

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

这个金属塔是用于向遥远的村子转播电视讯号的.

来自《简明英汉词典》

3. Messengers will relay your letters.

邮递员将接转你的信件.

来自《简明英汉词典》

4. They will relay your message.

他们会转达你的口信.

来自《简明英汉词典》

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

刘易斯近来恢复了状态，将在4×100米接力赛中和克里斯蒂一决雌雄。

来自柯林斯例句