Etymology dictionary

regulator (n.) — release (v.)

regulator (n.)

1650s, "one who regulates" in any sense, agent noun in Latin form from regulate. In English history from 1680s; in American history from 1767, applied to local posses that kept order (or disturbed it) in rural regions. From 1702 as "device for controlling machinery in motion;" the specific sense of "mechanical device or clock used to set the time of other pieces" is from 1758.

regular (adj.)

c. 1400, reguler, "belonging to or subject to a religious or monastic rule," from Old French reguler "ecclesiastical" (Modern French régulier) and directly from Late Latin regularis "containing rules for guidance," from Latin regula "rule, straight piece of wood" (from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line"). The classical -a- was restored 16c.

In earliest use, the opposite of secular. Extended from late 16c. to shapes, verbs, etc., that followed predictable, proper, or uniform patterns. From 1590s as "marked or distinguished by steadiness or uniformity in action or practice;" hence, of persons, "pursuing a definite course, observing a universal principle in action or conduct" (c. 1600).

The sense of "normal, conformed or conforming to established customs" is from 1630s. The meaning "orderly, well-behaved" is from 1705. By 1756 as "recurring at repeated or fixed times," especially at short, uniform intervals. The military sense of "properly and permanently organized, constituting part of a standing army" is by 1706. The colloquial meaning "real, genuine, thorough" is from 1821.

Old English borrowed Latin regula and nativized it as regol "rule, regulation, canon, law, standard, pattern;" hence regolsticca "ruler" (instrument); regollic (adj.) "canonical, regular."

regularize (v.)

"make regular," 1620s, from regular (adj.) + -ize. Related: Regularized; regularizing; regularization.

regularity (n.)

"state or character of being regular," c. 1600, from French regularite (14c.), from Medieval Latin *regularitas, from Latin regularis "having rules, containing rules for guidance," from Latin regula "rule, straight piece of wood" (from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line").

regular (n.)

c. 1400, reguler, "member of a religious order bound by vows," from regular (adj.) and from Medieval Latin regularis "member of a religious or monastic order." Sense of "soldier of a standing army" is from 1756. Meaning "regular customer" is by 1852; meaning "leaded gasoline" is by 1978; regular (adj.) in the sense of "unleaded" is by 1974.

regularly (adv.)

late 14c., regulerli, "in order, systematically; at proper times," from regular (adj.) + -ly (2). Meaning "in accordance with rules" is from 1560s.

Regulus (n.)

bright white star in constellation Leo, 1550s, Modern Latin, apparently first so-called by Copernicus, literally "little king," diminutive of rex "king" (from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line," with derivatives meaning "to direct in a straight line," thus "to lead, rule"). Probably a translation of Basiliskos "little king," a Hellenistic Greek name for the star, mentioned in Geminos and Ptolemy (in the "Almagest," though elsewhere in his writings it is usually "the star on the heart of Leo"); perhaps a translation of Lugal "king," said to have been the star's Babylonian name. Klein holds it to be a corruption of Arabic rijl (al-asad) "paw of the lion" (compare Rigel).

regurgitation (n.)

c. 1600, "act of pouring or rushing back," chiefly medical (of blood, digestive fluid, etc.), from Medieval Latin regurgitationem (nominative regurgitatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of regurgitare "to overflow," from re- "back" (see re-) + Late Latin gurgitare "engulf, flood" (found in Latin ingurgitare "to pour in"), from gurges "whirlpool, gorge, abyss" (see gurges).

regurgitate (v.)

1640s (intransitive), of fluids, "to surge or rush back, be poured back," a back formation from regurgitation, or else from Medieval Latin regurgitatus, past participle of regurgitare. Transitive sense of "to vomit, cast out from the stomach" is attested by 1753. Related: Regurgitated; regurgitating.

rehab

by 1948 as a shortening of rehabilitation (originally of service members returning from World War II). As a verb, in reference to houses, by 1975, short for rehabilitate. Related: Rehabbed; rehabbing.

rehabilitation (n.)

1530s, "act of reinstating in a former rank or standing," from French réhabilitation and directly from Medieval Latin rehabilitationem (nominative rehabilitatio) "restoration," noun of action from past-participle stem of rehabilitare, from re- "again" (see re-) + habitare "make fit," from Latin habilis "easily managed, fit" (see able). Meaning "action of restoring anything to a previous condition" is by 1858. Specifically of criminals, addicts, etc., retrained for society from 1940.

rehabilitate (v.)

1580s, "restore to a former capacity or standing, or a former right, rank, or privilege lost or forfeited," a back-formation from rehabilitation and in part from Medieval Latin rehabilitatus, past participle of rehabilitare. Century Dictionary calls it "a term drawn from the civil and canon law."

By 1845 as "to bring back to a former condition after decay or damage." The meaning "to restore one's reputation or character in the esteem of others" is from 1847. Related: Rehabilitated; rehabilitating.

rehash (v.)

"work up (as old material) in a new form," 1822, from re- "again" + hash (v.). Related: Rehashed; rehashing.

rehash (n.)

"old material worked up anew, something concocted from material formerly used," usually of literary productions, 1849, from rehash (v.).

rehear (v.)

also re-hear, "to hear again," 1680s, originally legal, "to try (a cause) a second time," from re- "again" + hear. Of sounds, by 1799. Related: Reheard; rehearing. As a noun, rehearing "a second hearing" is from 1680s.

rehearse (v.)

c. 1300, rehersen, "to give an account of, report, tell, narrate (a story); speak or write words;" early 14c., "repeat, reiterate;" from Anglo-French rehearser, Old French rehercier (12c.) "to go over again, repeat," literally "to rake over, turn over" (soil, ground), from re- "again" (see re-) + hercier "to drag, trail (on the ground), be dragged along the ground; rake, harrow (land); rip, tear, wound; repeat, rehearse;" from herse "a harrow" (see hearse (n.)).

The meaning "to say over again, repeat what has already been said or written" is from mid-14c. in English; the sense of "practice (a play, part, etc.) in private to prepare for a public performance" is from 1570s (transitive and intransitive). Related: Rehearsed; rehearsing.

rehearsal (n.)

late 14c., rehersaille, "restatement, repetition of the words of another; account, narration," from rehearse + -al (2), or from Old French rehearsal "a repeating." Sense in theater and music, "act or process of studying by practice or preparatory exercise, a meeting of musical or dramatic performers for practice and study together" is from 1570s. A play being in rehearsal is from 1709. Pre-wedding rehearsal dinner attested by 1953.

reheat (v.)

also re-heat, "to heat again or anew," 1727, from re- "again" + heat (v.). Related: Reheated; reheating.

Rehoboth

Biblical place name, Hebrew Rehobhoth, literally "wide places" (Genesis xxvi.22).

rehouse (v.)

also re-house, "provide with other housing or houses," 1820, from re- "again" + house (v.). Related: Rehoused; rehousing.

rehydrate (v.)

1923, "absorb water again;" 1962, transitive, "add water to," from re- "back, again" + hydrate (v.) or else a back-formation from rehydration. Related: Rehydrated; rehydrating.

rehydration (n.)

"process of adding or taking up water again," 1853, from re- "again" + hydration.

*rei-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to flow, run."

It forms all or part of: derive; ember-days; rennet (n.1); Rhine; rialto; rill; rio; rival; rivulet; run; runnel.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit rinati "causes to flow," ritih "stream, course;" Latin rivus "stream;" Old Church Slavonic reka "river;" Middle Irish rian "river, way;" Gothic rinnan "run, flow," rinno "brook;" Middle Low German ride "brook;" Old English riþ "stream;" Old English rinnan, Old Norse rinna "to run," Dutch ril "running stream."

Reich (n.)

German, "kingdom, realm, state," from Old High German rihhi "realm," from Proto-Germanic *rikja "rule" (source also of Old Norse riki, Danish rige, Old Frisian and Middle Dutch rike, Dutch rijk, Old English rice, Gothic reiki), from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line," with derivatives meaning "to direct in a straight line," thus "to lead, rule." Don Ringe, "From Proto-Indo-European to Proto-Germanic" [Oxford 2006] identifies it as a Celtic loan-word in Germanic rather than a direct evolution from PIE, based on the vowel. Used in English from 1871-1945 to refer to "the German state, Germany." Most notoriously in Third Reich (see third); there never was a First or Second in English usage.

Reichstag (n.)

1867 as the name of parliaments in central European nations, especially "the German imperial parliament" (1871-1918), from German Reichstag, from Reich "state, realm" (see Reich) + Tag "assembly," literally "day" (see day).

Earliest use in English is in reference to the chief deliberative body of the North German Confederacy. Also later as the name of the building (opened in 1894) in Berlin in which the imperial parliament met; hence Reichstag Fire (which took place Feb. 27, 1933) as symbolic of a disruptive act engineered to facilitate the rise of a party to power.

reify (v.)

"make mentally into a thing; make (an abstraction) real or material; consider as a thing," 1854, a back-formation from reification or else from re-, stem of Latin res "thing, object; matter, affair, event; circumstance, condition" (see re) + -fy. Related: Reified; reifying.

reification (n.)

1846, "mental act of materializing (a person or concept), objectivization, the regarding or treating of an idea as a thing," from Latin re-, stem of res "thing" (see re), + -fication "a making or causing." In Marxist writing, "depersonalization," translating German Verdinglichung.

*reig-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "stretch; be stretched; be stiff"

It forms all or part of: reach; rigid; rigidity; rigor.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit rjyati "he stretches himself," riag "torture" (by racking); Greek oregein "to reach, extend;" Latin rigidus "hard, stiff, rough, severe," rigēre "be stiff;" Lithuanian raižytis "to stretch oneself;" Old Irish ringid "torture," rigim "I stretch;" Middle High German ric "band, string;" Old High German reihhon, Old English ræcan, ræcean "to reach, achieve," on notion of "to stretch out."

reign (n.)

early 13c., regne, "kingdom, state governed by a monarch," senses now obsolete, from Old French reigne "kingdom, land, country" (Modern French règne), from Latin regnum "kingship, dominion, rule, realm," which is related to regere "to rule, to direct, keep straight, guide" (from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line," with derivatives meaning "to direct in a straight line," thus "to lead, rule").

From late 14c. as "sovereignty, royal authority, dominion." Hence, generally, "power, influence, or sway like that of a king" (by 1725). The meaning "period of time during which a monarch occupies a throne," used for dating, is recorded from mid-14c.

reign (v.)

late 13c., regnen, "to hold or exercise sovereign or royal power in a state," also of God, Christ, the Virgin Mary, from Old French regner "rule, reign" (12c.), from Latin regnare "have royal power, be king, rule, reign," from regnum "kingship, dominion, rule, realm," which is related to regere "to rule, to direct, keep straight, guide" (from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line," with derivatives meaning "to direct in a straight line," thus "to lead, rule"). Of customs, vices, etc. in a particular place, early 14c. Related: Reigned; reigning; regnal.

reignite (v.)

also re-ignite, "catch fire again; cause to catch fire again," 1823, from re- "again" + ignite. Related: Reignited; reigniting; reignition.

Reims

city in northeastern France, named for the Remi, a Gaulish people whose name is said to mean "dominant ones." The former French spelling was with an Rh- (compare Rhemish).

reimburse (v.)

"replace, in a treasury, fund, etc., as an equivalent for what has been taken or expended," 1610s, from re- "back" + now-archaic verb imburse "to pay, enrich," literally "put in a purse" (1530s), from French embourser, from Old French em- "in" (see em-) + borser "to get money," from borse "purse," from Medieval Latin bursa (see purse (n.)). Related: Reimbursed; reimbursing; reimbursable.

reimbursement (n.)

"act of refunding, repayment," 1610s, from reimburse + -ment.

reimport (v.)

also re-import, "carry back to the company of exportation," 1742, from re- "back, again" + import (v.). Related: Reimported; reimporting; reimportation.

reimpose (v.)

also re-impose, "to impose again or anew," 1610s, from French reimposer or formed in English from re- "back, again" + impose (v.). Related: Reimposed; reimposing; reimposition.

reimprison (v.)

also re-imprison, "imprison again," 1610s, from re- + imprison. Related: Reimprisoned; reimprisoning; reimprisonment.

reins (n.)

see rein (n.).

rein (n.)

c. 1300, reine, "strap of a bridle," attached to it on either side of the head, by which the rider or driver restrains and guides the animal, from Old French rene, resne "reins, bridle strap, laces" (Modern French rêne), probably from Vulgar Latin *retina "a bond, check," a back-formation from Latin retinere "hold back" (see retain). Compare Latin retinaculum "a tether, halter, rein."

The figurative extension of reins to "guidance, means of controlling; control, check, restraint" is by mid-14c. Hence many expressions, originally from horse-management: Hold the reins "wield power" (early 15c.); take the reins "assume the power of guidance or government" (1610s). To give something free rein also is originally of horses; to give (a horse) the reins (1620s) is to allow it free motion.

rein (v.)

c. 1300, reinen, "tie (a horse), tether," a sense now obsolete, from rein (n.). From early 15c. as "to pull on the bridle with the reins," to restrain or guide the horse, hence the figurative extension to "put a check on, restrain, control," recorded by 1580s. Related: Reined; reining. To rein up "halt" (1550s) is an image of pulling up on the reins to make a horse halt or back.

reincarnation (n.)

1829, "fact of repeated incarnation, state of being embodied anew," from re- "back, again" + incarnation. Meaning "a new embodiment" is from 1854.

reincarnate (v.)

also re-incarnate, "incarnate anew," 1836, from re- "back, again" + incarnate (v.) or else a back-formation from reincarnation. Related: Reincarnated; reincarnating. As an adjective by 1829, "reincarnated."

reindeer (n.)

c. 1400, also raindere, reynder, rayne-dere, genus of deer inhabiting the arctic regions of Europe, from a Scandinavian source such as Old Norse hreindyri "reindeer," with dyr "animal" (see deer) + hreinn, the usual name for the animal in Old Norse, from Proto-Germanic *khrinda- (source also of Old English hran "reindeer;" German Renn "reindeer," which was altered by folk etymology influence of rennen "to run;" and Swedish renko "female reindeer," with ko "cow" (n.)).

Watkins has this from PIE *krei-, from root *ker- (1) "horn; head," with derivatives referring to horned animals (both male and female reindeer have horns; those of the male are remarkable), and thus perhaps cognate with Greek krios "ram" (see kerato-). Older sources connect it to words in Lapp or Finnish (raingo). French renne, Spanish reno, Italian renna ultimately are from Germanic.

Larwood & Hotten ("History of Signboards") write that the 1670s London tavern sign of the ranged deer "was simply intended for the Reindeer, which animal had then just newly come under the notice of the public; their knowledge of it was still confused, and its name was spelled in various ways, such as: rain-deer, rained-deer, range-deer, and ranged-deer."

reinfect (v.)

also re-infect, "infect anew or again" (with disease, etc.), 1610s; see re- "back, again" + infect (v.). Related: Reinfected; reinfecting; reinfection.

reinforce (v.)

also re-enforce, "add new force, strength, or weight to," c. 1600, originally in military sense, from re- "again" + inforce, variant of enforce "drive by physical force; fortify, strengthen" (compare re-enforce, and see en- (1)). Related: Reinforced; reinforcing.

reinforcement (n.)

c. 1600, "act of reinforcing," from reinforce + -ment. Meaning "an augmentation, an additional force, that which reinforces" is from 1650s. In psychology by 1876. Related: Reinforcements.

reinstall (v.)

also re-install, "install again, seat anew," 1590s, from re- "back, again" + install. Related: Reinstalled; reinstalling; reinstalment.

reinstate (v.)

also re-instate, "place again in a former state or condition," 1590s, from re- "back, again" + instate (v.). Related: Reinstated; reinstating.

reinstatement (n.)

also re-instatement, "restoration to a former post, office, rank, etc.," 1700, from reinstate (v.) + -ment. Reinstation is recorded from 1680s.

reintegrate (v.)

c. 1600, "renew with regard to any state or quality," from re- "back," here "to a former condition," + integrate (v.). The sense of "make whole again, bring back to an integral condition" is from 1620s. The classically correct form is redintegrate (early 15c.). Earlier in a now-obsolete sense of "reinstate oneself" (1580s). Related: Reintegrated; reintegrating; reintegration.

reintegration (n.)

"a renewing or making whole again, restoration, re-establishment," c. 1600, from French réintegration (15c.) or directly from Medieval Latin reintegrationem; see reintegrate. The classically correct form is redintegration (see redintegrate (v.)).

reinter (v.)

also re-inter, "to inter anew or again," 1610s, from re- "back, again" + inter (v.). Related: Reinterred; reinterring; reinterrment.

reintroduce (v.)

also re-introduce, "to introduce again or anew," 1660s, from re- "back, again" + introduce (v.). Related: Reintroduced; reintroducing.

reintroduction (n.)

also re-introduction, "a repeated or renewed introduction," 1660s, from re- "back, again" + introduction.

reinvention (n.)

also re-invention, "a new or second or repeated invention," 1719, from re- "back, again" + invention or else formed as a noun to go with reinvent.

reinvent (v.)

also re-invent, "invent again or anew," 1680s, from re- "again" + invent (v.). Especially "devise or create anew without knowledge of a previous invention;" phrase reinvent the wheel "do redundant work" is attested by 1971. Related: Reinvented; reinventing.

reinvest (v.)

also re-invest, "invest with," in any sense; 1610s of vestments or garments; by 1848 of money; from re- "back, again" + invest (v.)). Related: Reinvested; reinvesting; reinvestment.

reinvigorate (v.)

also re-invigorate, "revive vigor in, reanimate," 1650s, from re- "back, again" + invigorate (v.). Related: Reinvigorated; reinvigorating; reinvigoration.

reinvite (v.)

also re-invite, "invite again, invite a second time," 1610s, from re- "back, again" + invite (v.). Related: Reinvited; reinviting; reinvitation.

reissue (v.)

also re-issue, 1610s, "go forth again" (intransitive), from re- "back, again" + issue (v.). Transitive sense of "send out or put forth a second time" (of banknotes, periodicals, etc.) is by 1799. Related: Reissued; reissuing. The noun, "a second or renewed issue," is attested from 1805.

reiteration (n.)

early 15c., reiteracion, "repetition, a repeated action," originally in medicine, from Medieval Latin reiterationem (nominative reiteratio) "repetition, a repeating," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin reiterare "to repeat" (see reiterate). Of statements, words, by 1650s.

reiterate (v.)

early 15c., reiteraten, "to repeat (an action or process) again and again," originally in medicine and alchemy, from Late Latin reiteratus, past participle of reiterare "to repeat," from re- "again" (see re-) + iterare "to repeat," from iterum "again" (see iteration). From mid-16c. especially "to say repeatedly, give repeated expression to." Related: Reiterated; reiterating.

reject (n.)

mid-15c., "refusal, denial;" 1550s, "a castaway" (both now obsolete), from reject (v.) or obsolete reject (adj.). The sense of "thing cast aside as unsatisfactory" (1893) probably is a fresh extension. Hence "person considered low-quality and worthless" (1925, from use in the militaries in reference to men unsuitable for service).

rejection (n.)

"act of throwing off or away; refusal to accept or grant," 1550s, from French réjection (16c.) or directly from Latin reiectionem (nominative reiectio) "act of throwing back," noun of action from past-participle stem of reicere (see reject (v.)).

In 19c., it also could mean "excrement." An earlier use was "setting aside of a wife, divorce" (mid-15c.). Medical transplant sense is from 1954. In the psychological sense, relating to parenting, from 1931.

reject (v.)

early 15c., rejecten, "eject, set aside, block from inheritance;" late 15c., "refuse to acquiesce or submit to," from Old French rejecter and directly from Latin reiectus, past participle of reiectare "throw away, cast away, vomit," frequentative of reicere "to throw back," from re- "back" (see re-) + -icere, combining form of iacere "to throw" (from PIE root *ye- "to throw, impel").

The meaning "throw away as undesirable or useless, refuse to take for some purpose" is by 1530s. From 1560s as "to repel or rebuff (someone who makes advances of any kind)," especially of a woman refusing a man as a lover or husband (1580s). The sense of "refuse (something offered)" is by 1660s. The medical sense of "show immune response to a transplanted organ" is from 1953. Related: Rejected; rejecting.

rejoicing (n.)

"feelings and expressions of joy, exultation, or gladness," late 14c., rejoising, verbal noun from rejoice (v.). Related: Rejoicingly. Rejoicement (1560s) seems not to have caught on.

rejoice (v.)

c. 1300, rejoisen, "to own (goods, property), possess, enjoy the possession of, have the fruition of," from Old French rejoiss-, present participle stem of rejoir, resjoir "gladden, rejoice," from re-, which here is of obscure signification, perhaps an intensive (see re-), + joir "be glad," from Latin gaudere "rejoice" (see joy).

From mid-14c. in a transitive sense of "make joyful, gladden." Intransitive meaning "be full of joy" is recorded from late 14c. Middle English also used simple verb joy "to feel gladness; experience joy in a high degree" (mid-13c.) and rejoy (early 14c.). Also in 15c.-16c. "to have (someone) as husband or wife, to have for oneself and enjoy." To rejoice in "be glad about, delight in" is from late 14c. Related: Rejoiced; rejoicing.

rejoin (v.2)

"to say in answer to a reply or later remark," mid-15c., a legal term, "answer a reply, reply a second time" (to a charge or complaint), from Old French rejoin-, stem of rejoindre "to answer to a legal charge," from Old French re- "back" (see re-) + joindre "to join, connect, unite," from Latin iungere "to join together, unite, yoke" (from nasalized form of PIE root *yeug- "to join").

rejoin (v.1)

also re-join, 1540s, of things, intransitive, "unite again, unite after separation," from re- "again" + join (v.). Transitive sense of "join again, reunite (one thing or person to or with another)" is from 1560s. Meaning "join the company of again" is from 1610s. Related: Rejoined; rejoining.

rejoinder (n.)

mid-15c., in law, "the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's replication" (the fourth stage in the pleadings in an action at common law), from Old French noun use of rejoindre "to answer to a legal charge" (see rejoin (v.2)). For noun use of infinitive in French law terms, see waiver.

rejuvenate (v.)

"restore the appearance, powers, or feelings of youth to," 1807, an irregular formation from re- "again" + Latin juvenis "young" (see young (adj.)) + -ate (2). Related: Rejuvenated; rejuvenating.

rejuvenation (n.)

"act or state of being or appearing to grow young again," 1834, noun of action from rejuvenate.

rejuvenesce (v.)

"grow young again," by 1879, from rejuvenescence, etc., or from Medieval Latin rejuvenescere "renew one's youthfulness."

rejuvenescence (n.)

"renewal of the appearance, powers, or feelings of youth," 1630s, from Latin rejuvenescere "become young again," from re- "again" (see re-) + juvenescere "become young," from juvenis "young" (see young (adj.); also see -ence).

rejuvenescent (adj.)

"becoming or become young again," 1763, from Medieval Latin rejuvenescentem (nominative rejuvenescens), present participle of rejuvenescere "become young again" (see rejuvenescence).

rekindle (v.)

also re-kindle, 1590s, "set on fire again," originally and often figurative, from re- "back, again" + kindle (v.). Intransitive sense of "take fire or be animated anew" also is from 1590s. Related: Rekindled; rekindling.

relative (n.)

late 14c., realtif, in grammar, "a relative pronoun," from Old French relatif (13c.), from Late Latin relativus "having reference or relation," from Latin relatus, used as past participle of referre "bring back, bear back" (see refer), from re- "back, again" + lātus "borne, carried" (see oblate (n.)). The meaning "kinsman, kinswoman, person in the same family or connected by blood" is attested from 1650s.

-rel

also -erel, diminutive or deprecatory word-forming element, in some cases from Old French -erel (Modern French -ereau) or -erelle, but mostly used with native stems.

relativity (n.)

1834, "fact or condition of being relative, existence as an immediate object of the understanding or experience, existence only in relation to a thinking mind," (apparently coined by Coleridge, in "Notes on Waterland's Vindication of Christ's Divinity"), from relative (adj.) + -ity. In scientific use, connected to the theory of Albert Einstein (1879-1955) having to do with the dependence of observation on the relative motion of observer and object, published in 1905 (special theory of relativity) and 1915 (general theory of relativity), but the word was used in roughly this sense by J.C. Maxwell in 1876. An earlier noun in the sense of "state of being relative" was relativeness (1670s).

relatively (adv.)

"in relation to or by comparison to something else," early 15c., relativeli; see from relative (adj.) + -ly (2).

relative (adj.)

early 15c., relatif, "having reference (to something), relating, depending upon," from Old French relatif and directly from Late Latin relativus "having reference or relation," from Latin relatus, used as past participle of referre "bring back, bear back" (see refer), from re- "back, again" + lātus "borne, carried" (see oblate (n.)).

Meaning "having mutual relationship, connected with each other" is from 1590s; that of "arising from or determined by relationship to something else" is from 1610s; that of "having or standing in a relation to something else" is from 1650s; that of "not absolute or existing by itself" is by 1704. In grammar, "referring to an antecedent," from 1520s.

relay (v.)

c. 1400, relaien, "to set a pack of (fresh) hounds after a quarry;" also "change horses, take a fresh horse," from Old French relaiier, from relai (see relay (n.)). The word seems to have faded out by 19c. but was re-formed in electromagnetics from the noun, in a transitive sense of "pass on or retransmit," originally of telephone signals (1878), later in a transferred sense of "pass on information" (by 1956). Related: Relayed; relaying.

re-lay (v.)

"to lay again, lay a second time" 1580s, from re- "back, again" + lay (v.). With hyphenated spelling and full pronunciation of the prefix to distinguish it from relay. Related: Re-laid; re-laying.

relay (n.)

late 14c., in hunting, relai, "hounds placed along a line of chase" (to replace those that tire), from Old French relais "reserve pack of hounds or other animals; rest, stop, remission, delay" (13c.), from relaier "to exchange tired animals for fresh," literally "leave behind," from re- "back" (see re-) + laier "leave, let."

This is perhaps a variant of Old French laissier, (compare Old French relaisser "release"), from Latin laxare "slacken, undo" (see lax (adj.)). But Watkins has it from Frankish *laibjan, from a Proto-Germanic causative form of PIE root *leip- "to stick, adhere."

The etymological sense is "to leave (dogs) behind (in order to take fresh ones)." Of horses, 1650s. As "a squad of men to take a spell or turn of work at stated intervals," by 1808. As a type of foot-race, it is attested from 1898. The electromagnetic instrument is attested by name from 1860, originally in telegraphy.

relapse (n.)

mid-15c., "a falling back into error or wrongdoing, moral backsliding," from relapse (v.) or else from Medieval Latin relapsus. In medicine, "a falling back into a disease or symptom during or after convalescence," from 1580s.

relapse (v.)

early 15c., relapsen, "renounce" (a vice, etc.), a sense now obsolete; 1560s as "fall into a former (bad) state or practice," from Latin relapsus, past participle of relabi "slip back, slide back, sink back," from re- "back" (see re-) + labi "to slip" (see lapse (n.)). Related: Relapsed; relapsing.

relate (v.)

1520s, "to recount, tell," from French relater "refer, report" (14c.) and directly from Latin relatus, used as past participle of referre "bring back, bear back" (see refer), from re- "back, again" + lātus "borne, carried" (see oblate (n.)).

The meaning "stand in some relation; have reference or respect" is from 1640s; transitive sense of "bring (something) into relation with (something else)" is from 1690s. Meaning "to establish a relation between" is from 1771. Sense of "to feel connected or sympathetic to" is attested from 1950, originally in psychology jargon. Related: Related; relating.

relation (n.)

c. 1300, relacioun, "relationship, connection, correspondence;" late 14c. as "act of telling or relating in words," from Anglo-French relacioun, Old French relacion "report, connection" (14c.) and directly from Latin relationem (nominative relatio) "a bringing back, restoring; a report, proposition," from relatus (see relate).

The meaning "person related by blood or marriage" is attested from c. 1500. The phrase no relation "not in the same family," used in differentiating persons with the same surname, is attested by 1930.

related (adj.)

c. 1600, "recited, narrated;" 1702, "connected by blood or marriage," past-participle adjective from relate (v.) in various senses. Related: Relatedness.

relator (n.)

"informer," with a specialized sense in law, c. 1600, from Latin relator, agent noun; see relate. Related: Relatrix.

relational (adj.)

1660s, "of or pertaining to human relations," from relation + -al (1). From 1840 as "indicating or specifying some relation" in general. Related: Relationality.

relatable (adj.)

1825, "narrated," from relate (v.) + -able. Related: Relatably; relatability.

relationship (n.)

1640s, "sense or state of being related" by kindred, affinity, or other alliance, from relation + -ship. Specifically of romantic or sexual intimacy by 1944.

relativism (n.)

1865, in philosophy, "the doctrine that knowledge is only of relations," from relative (adj.) + -ism. Compare relativist.

relativist (n.)

1857, "one who holds the philosophical doctrine of relativism," from relative (adj.) + -ist. As an adjective from 1914, in reference to Einstein's theories. Related: Relativistic.

relaunch (v.)

also re-launch, "to launch again or anew," 1745, from re- "again" + launch (v.). Related: Relaunched; relaunching. As a noun from 1970, especially of commercial products and brands.

relaxation (n.)

late 14c., relaxacioun, "a rupture, a hernia" (a sense now obsolete); mid-15c., "remission of a burden or penalty," from Old French relaxacion (14c.) and directly from Latin relaxationem (nominative relaxatio) "an easing, mitigation, relaxation," noun of action from past-participle stem of relaxare "loosen, open, stretch out" (see relax).

Meaning "relief from hard work or ordinary cares; a state or occupation intended to give mental or bodily relief after effort or ordinary occupations and cares" is from 1540s. Sense of "remission or abatement of rigor or intensity" is from 1690s.

relax (v.)

late 14c., relaxen, "to make (something) less compact or dense" (transitive), originally especially in medicine, of muscles, etc., from Old French relaschier "set free; soften; reduce" (14c.) and directly from Latin relaxare "relax, loosen, open, stretch out, widen again; make loose," from re- "back" (see re-) + laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose" (from PIE root *sleg- "be slack, be languid"). A doublet of release.

Meaning "decrease tension" is from early 15c. From 1660s as "to make less severe or rigorous." Intransitive sense of "become loose or languid" is by 1762; that of "become less tense" is recorded from 1935. Of persons, "to become less formal," by 1837. Related: Relaxed; relaxing. As a noun, "relaxation, an act of relaxing," from 17c.

relaxant (adj.)

1771, "causing or distinguished by relaxation," from Latin relaxantem (nominative relaxans), present participle of relaxare "to loosen, stretch out" (see relax). As a noun, "a medicine or treatment that relaxes or opens," from 1832. An earlier adjective was relaxative "having the quality of relaxing" (1610s).

release (n.)

early 14c., relēs, "abatement of distress; means of deliverance," from Old French relais, reles (12c.), a back-formation from relesser, relaissier "to relinquish, quit, let go, leave behind, abandon, acquit" (see release (v.)). In law, mid-14c., "transferring of property or a right to another;" late 14c. as "release from an obligation; remission of a duty, tribute, etc."

In archery, the meaning "act and manner of releasing" (a bow, etc.) is from 1871. The sense of "action of publication" is from 1907; as "a news item or official statement (to the press)" is by 1927. The meaning "action of making a film available to theaters" is from 1912, later of musical recordings, etc. The sense of "written authorization or permission for publication" is by 1965.

release (v.)

c. 1300, relēsen, "withdraw, revoke (a decree, etc.), cancel, lift; remit," from Old French relaissier, relesser "relinquish, quit, let go, leave behind, abandon, acquit," variant of relacher "release, relax," from Latin relaxare "loosen, stretch out." This is from re- "back" (see re-) + laxare "loosen" (from PIE root *sleg- "be slack, be languid"). Latin relaxare also is the source of Spanish relajar, Italian relassare, and English relax, and it is the uncle of relish.

The meaning "alleviate, ease" is mid-14c., as is sense of "set free from (duty, etc.); exonerate." It is attested from late 14c. as "grant remission, forgive; set free from imprisonment, military service, etc." Also "give up, relinquish, surrender." In law, c. 1400, "to grant a release of property."

In reference to press reports, "make available," attested from 1904; of motion pictures from 1912; of music recordings by 1962. As a euphemism for "dismiss, fire from a job" it is attested in American English by 1904. Related: Released; releasing.