prices 3 [U(between)] the state of being of the same family: They're both called Smith, but there's no relationship between them.
**USAGE** **Compare relationship, relation, and relations.** All three words can be used to suggest a connection between people or things. **Relationship**, when used of people, suggests a close connection with strong feelings: *her relationship with her husband*. Both **relationship** and **relation** can be used of things that depend on each other: *the relationship/relation between temperature and humidity*. **Relations** can be used of a more formal or distant relationship between people or groups: *The local community has good relations with the police.* | **Relations** between our countries are improving.
**rel-a-tive¹** /'relətɪv/ n a RELATION: *My uncle is my nearest/closest living relative.*
**relative²** adj 1 compared to each other or to something else: *the relative costs of building in stone and in brick* | *After his money troubles, he's now living in relative comfort.* | *an atmosphere of relative calm after the recent upheavals* → opposite ABSOLUTE 2 [f+to] fml connected (with); on the subject (of); RELEVANT (to): *facts relative to this question* → see also RELATIVELY
**relative 'clause** n tech (in grammar) a part of a sentence that has a verb in it, and is joined to the rest of the sentence by **who, which, where** etc: *In 'The man who lives next door is a doctor' the words 'who lives next door' form a relative clause.*
**relative hu'midity** n [U] the amount of water VAPOUR present in the air, expressed as a PERCENTAGE of the greatest possible amount that could be present. In the US it is often given in weather reports. Very high relative humidity (over 90%) causes discomfort for most people.
**rel-a-tive-ly** /'relətɪvli/ adv quite; when compared to others of the same kind: *The exam was relatively easy.* | *a relatively warm day for the time of year* | *Relatively speaking it's not important.*
**relative 'pronoun** n tech a PRONOUN such as **who, which, that** etc, by which a relative clause is connected to the rest of the sentence
**rel-a-tiv-i-ty** /ˌrelə'tɪvəti/ n [U] (often cap) a THEORY about the relationships between time, ENERGY, and mass, which change with increased speed: *Einstein's Theory of Relativity*
**re-lax** /rɪ'læks/ v 1 [i;T] to make or become less active and worried: *Sit down and relax.* | *The music will help to relax you.* 2 [i;T] to make or become less stiff or tight: *His muscles relaxed.* | *She relaxed her hold on the wheel.* 3 [T] to make (effort or control) less severe: *You must not relax your efforts for a moment.* | *a proposal to relax immigration controls*
**re-lax-a-tion** /ˌri:læk'seɪʃən/ n 1 [C;U] (something done for) rest and amusement: *He plays the piano for a bit of relaxation.* *It's one of his favourite relaxations.* 2 [U(of, in)] the act of making or becoming less stiff or severe: *the relaxation of controls on government spending*
**re-laxed** /rɪ'lækst/ adj 1 (of a person) free from worry; easy in manner: *He was lying in the sun looking very relaxed and happy.* 2 (especially of a group situation or surroundings) comfortable and informal; restful: *a relaxed atmosphere*
**re-lax-ing** /rɪ'læksɪŋ/ adj making one feel relaxed: *a relaxing afternoon in the garden*
**re-lay¹** /'ri:leɪ/ n 1 [C;U] a part of a team or organization, that takes its turn in keeping an activity going continuously, a fresh group replacing a tired one: *Groups of men worked in relays to clear the blocked railway line.* 2 [C] a relay race 3 a) [U] an electrical arrangement or apparatus that receives and passes on messages by telephone, radio etc: *The concert was broadcast by relay.* b) [C(of)] a broadcast sent out in this way: *We listened to a relay of the concert.*
**relay²** /ri:lei|rɪˈleɪ, 'ri:leɪ/ v -layed [T(to)] 1 to send out by RELAY: *The broadcast was relayed to Europe.* 2 to pass (a message) from one person to another: *Could you relay the news to the other teachers?*
**re-lay³** /ˌri:'leɪ/ v -laid /'leid/ [T] to lay (especially a CARPET or CABLE) again
**relay race** n a running or swimming race between two or more teams in which each member of each team runs or swims part of the total distance
**re-lease¹** /rɪ'li:s/ v [T] 1 [(from)] to set free; let go: *She released the rabbit from the trap.* | *The hijackers released three of the hostages.* | *The aircraft released its bombs.* | *He released (his hold on) her arm.* 2 to press (a handle) so as to allow something to move: *She released the handbrake of the car.* 3 to allow a) (a new film or record) to be shown or sold publicly b) (a news story or piece of government information) to be known and printed: *The new trade figures have just been released.*
**release²** n 1 [S;(from)] the act of setting free or being set free: *After his release from prison he came home.* | *After my examination I had a feeling of release.* 2 [C] a new film, record, or piece of information that has been released: *On this show they play the latest releases.* → see also PRESS RELEASE 3 [C] a letter or message that sets someone free: *The governor of the prison signed the release.* 4 [C] a handle, button etc that can be pressed to allow part of a machine to move 5 **on general release** (of a film) able to be seen at all the cinemas in an area → see also DAY RELEASE COURSE
**rel-e-gate** /'relɪgeɪt/ v [T(to)] to put into a lower or worse place: *We relegated the old furniture to the children's room.* | (especially BrE) *Everyone was surprised when the football team was relegated (to the second division).* → compare PROMOTE —**gation** /ˌrelɪ'geɪʃən/ n [U(to)]
**re-lent** /rɪ'lent/ v [I] to have or show pity; become less severe or cruel: *At first she threatened to dismiss us all, but later she relented.* | (fig.) *In the morning the storm relented a little.*
**re-lent-less** /rɪ'lentləs/ adj continuously severe: *the relentless fury of the waves* | *relentless pain* | *He was relentless in questioning the suspect.* —**ly** adv: *He beat the dog relentlessly.* | *We worked relentlessly to finish the job.* —**ness** n [U]
**rel-e-vant** /'relɪvənt/ adj [(to)] 1 directly connected with the subject: *His nationality isn't relevant to whether he's a good lawyer/isn't a relevant point.* 2 having practical value or importance: *This type of university course is no longer relevant (to today's problems).* → opposite IRRELEVANT —**ly** adv —**vance, -vancy** n [U(to)] *What you say has no relevance to the subject.* → opposite IRRELEVANCE
**re-li-a-ble** /rɪ'laəbəl/ adj that may be trusted; dependable: *She may forget to come - she's not very reliable.* | *I have it on reliable (=I have heard it from someone trustworthy) that the hospital is going to be closed down.* | *a reliable car* | *a reliable source of information* → opposite UNRELIABLE —**bly** adv: (pomp) *I am reliably informed (=a reliable person told me) that he's deep in debt.* —**bility** /ˌrɪˌlaɪə'bɪləti/ n [U]
**re-li-ance** /rɪ'laɪəns/ n [U(on)] 1 trust: *I place complete reliance on his judgment.* 2 the state of being materially supported; dependence: *our country's reliance on imported oil* → see also **rely on** (RELY)
**re-li-ant** /rɪ'laɪənt/ adj [F+on] depending on; relying on (RELY on): *We should not be so reliant on imported oil.* → see also SELF-RELIANT
**Reliant 'Robin** trademark a type of small car with three wheels that used to be made by the British company Reliant Motors
**CULTURAL NOTE** British people often made jokes about Reliant Robins, because they were not very fast or comfortable. Most people remember the character called DEL BOY from the television show *Only Fools and Horses*, who used to drive an old Reliant Robin that was in a very bad condition.
**rel-ic** /'relɪk/ n 1 [of,] something old that reminds us of the past: *This stone axe is a relic of ancient times.* | (humor) *How much longer are you going to drive around in that old relic?* 2 a part of the body or clothing of a holy person, or something that belonged to them which is kept and respected after their death → see also RELIQUARY
**rel-ics** /'relɪks/ n [P] lit someone's dead body: *His relics are buried at Winchester.*
**rel-ict** /'relɪkt/ adj [A] tech remaining in existence after most others of the same type no longer exist
**re-lief** /rɪ'li:f/ n 1 [S;U] (a) feeling of comfort at the ending of anxiety, pain, or dullness: *This medicine will give/bring you some relief* | *a drug for the relief of pain* | *I heaved a sigh of relief when I heard he was safe.* | *You're safe! What a*