relation

Main Entry:: re·la·tion
Pronunciation:: \ri-ˈlā-shən\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English relacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin relation-, relatio, from referre (past participle relatus) to carry back
Date:: 14th century

1: the act of telling or recounting : account2: an aspect or quality (as resemblance) that connects two or more things or parts as being or belonging or working together or as being of the same kind <the relation of time and space> ; specifically : a property (as one expressed by is equal to, is less than, or is the brother of) that holds between an ordered pair of objects3: the referring by a legal fiction of an act to a prior date as the time of its taking effect —usually used with back4 a (1): a person connected by consanguinity or affinity : relative (2): a person legally entitled to a share of the property of an intestate b: relationship by consanguinity or affinity : kinship5: reference , respect <in relation to>6: the attitude or stance which two or more persons or groups assume toward one another <race relations>7 a: the state of being mutually or reciprocally interested (as in social or commercial matters) bplural (1): dealings , intercourse <foreign relations> (2): sexual intercourse

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