re-

back, again; restoration or reversal

Forms

re-
red- — An early Latin form used before vowels and h.

Origin

Its ancestry before Latin is uncertain.

Note

In some old compounds the prefix adds emphasis, while in others its separate contribution has become unclear.

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noun

relation

rih-LAY-shun/rɪˈleɪʃn/

A connection linking people or things.

These interlocked chain links illustrate a relation between two things.

Two substantial metal chain links interlocked, with their shared connection clearly exposed: a concrete relation between two things.

Etymology

reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal

+latLatinbear, carry, bring

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

The image of “bringing back” also underlies reporting or referring. In the selected sense, relation is abstract: it names the connection or correspondence in which one person, thing, or idea stands to another.

In context

N. Stephan Kinsella121:09

… property is a relationship of exclusive control, a legally recognized ownership relation between a human actor and some scarce resource …

Kinsella on Liberty-KOL237-Intellectual Nonsense: Fallacious Arguments for IP—Part 2 Libertopia 2012

More examples

The study explores the relation between sleep and memory.
Relations between the two neighbors remain friendly.
The apartment is expensive in relation to its size.

Forms

relation · relations

relate verb — To show or establish a connection.

relational adjective — Concerning connections between people or things.

Similar words

relationship: Often suggests an ongoing connection, especially between people.
connection: More natural for physical attachments and everyday personal ties.
link: Often identifies a specific tie joining two things.