Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “relay” come from?

Relay comes from English lay, from Latin laicus meaning "of the people," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots ḱley- and wer-.

relay (English): A new set of hounds; A new set of horses kept...

Definitions

  1. A new set of hounds; A new set of horses kept...

Ancestry of “relay”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlayTo place down in a position of rest, or in a...
2EnglishLee—
3IrishLaoi—
4Middle Irishláed—
5EnglishloidA lock-picking tool made from a piece of...
6EnglishcelluloidAny of a variety of thermoplastics created from...
7English-oidOf similar form to, but not the same as. Having...
8Latin-oides-like, -form
9Greek-οending for "accusative singular" forms ; and some...
10Ancient GreekεἶδοςThat which is seen: form, image, shape;...
11Spanish-scopio-scope
12Latin-scopium—
13Ancient GreekσκοπέωI look, look at, behold; I examine, inspect; 413...
14Ancient Greekσκοπόςwatcher, lookout; protector, guardian; spy, scout

Words derived from “relay”

  • phosphorelay
  • relayer
  • nanorelay
  • リレー
Every word from Ancient Greek σκοπός →