relation

Everyday

1. A member of your family; a relative: All our relations came for the party. tree →
2. A connection between two or more things: the relation between speed and time. tree →
3. «Relations» are the way people or groups get on with each other: good relations between neighbours. tree →
4. «In relation to» (formal) means about or compared with. tree →
5. (maths) A rule that connects numbers or things, like «is greater than». tree →

In the lessons

In maths a relation links two quantities: «The number of legs is 4 times the number of dogs». In science, scientists find the relation between temperature and melting. In everyday life we visit relations at holidays. In the news: «friendly relations between countries». Phrases: «a close/distant relation», «in relation to», «bear no relation to», «poor relation».

Examples

• My aunt is my closest relation in Canada. tree →
• Is there a relation between sleep and test scores? tree →
• The two numbers have a simple relation: the second is double the first. tree →
• The two teams have good relations. tree →
• Write the answer in relation to the question. tree →
• We have relations all over Australia. tree →
• The story bears no relation to the facts. tree →
• «Greater than» is a relation between numbers. tree →
• So close is the resemblance, indeed, that it is impossible not to surmise an historical relation between the two. tree →

Note

Countable: relations. Similar: relative (family), relationship (a connection, often between people). «Relationship» is more common for feelings between people; «relation» for family members and maths connections.

In Jewish tradition

In maths a relation links two quantities: «The number of legs is 4 times the number of dogs». In science, scientists find the relation between temperature and melting. In everyday life we visit relations at holidays. In the news: «friendly relations between countries». Phrases: «a close/distant relation», «in relation to», «bear no relation to», «poor relation».

Examples

• The relation they bear to each other is variously explained. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• However, that may be, I hope I have at least succeeded in removing some obstacles to a better understanding of the Sefer Yetzira and the Pythafrorean philosophy and their relation to each other. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Countable: relations. Similar: relative (family), relationship (a connection, often between people). «Relationship» is more common for feelings between people; «relation» for family members and maths connections.