RELA'TION, noun [Latin relatio, refero.]

1. The act of telling; recital; account; narration; narrative of facts; as a historical relation We listened to the relation of his adventures.

2. Respect; reference; regard.

I have been importuned to make some observations on this art, in relation to its agreement with poetry.

3. Connection between things; mutual respect, or what one thing is with regard to another; as the relation of a citizen to the state; the relation of a subject to the supreme authority; the relation of husband and wife, or of master and servant; the relation of a state of probation to a state of retribution.

4. Kindred; alliance; as the relation of parents and children.

Relations dear, and all the charities of father, son and brother, first were known.

5. A person connected by consanguinity or affinity; a kinsman or kinswoman. He passed a month with his relations in the country.

6. Resemblance of phenomena; analogy.

7. In geometry, ratio; proportion.