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radiation

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Radiation is the process of sending off energy in the form of light, heat, x-rays or nuclear particles.

(noun)

An example of radiation are the energy waves off of a nuclear bomb.
An example of radiation is the energy in the atmosphere monitored by radiation detectors such as the Xetex brand of personal radiation detector which were ultimately discontinued in the 1990s.

See radiation in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the act or process of radiating; specif., the process in which energy in the form of rays of light, heat, etc. is sent out through space from atoms and molecules as they undergo internal change
the rays sent out; radiant energy
radial arrangement of parts
Biol. adaptive radiation
Nuclear Physics energy emitted as electromagnetic waves, as gamma or X-rays, or as energetic nuclear particles, as neutrons, alpha and beta particles, etc.

Origin: L radiatio

Related Forms:

radiational adjective
radiative adjective

See radiation in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The act or process of radiating: the radiation of heat and light from a fire.
Physics
a. Emission and propagation and emission of energy in the form of rays or waves.
b. Energy radiated or transmitted as rays, waves, in the form of particles.
c. A stream of particles or electromagnetic waves emitted by the atoms and molecules of a radioactive substance as a result of nuclear decay.
a. The act of exposing or the condition of being exposed to such energy.
b. The application of such energy, as in medical treatment.
Anatomy Radial arrangement of parts, as of a group of nerve fibers connecting different areas of the brain.
a. The spread of a group of organisms into new habitats.
b. Adaptive radiation.

Related Forms:

raˌdi·aˈtion·al, raˈdi·aˌtive adjective

See radiation in Ologies

Radiation

See also physics.

actinotherapy

radiotherapy.

bolograph

the record produced by a bolometer.

bolometer

a device used in bolometry.

bolometry

the measurement of minute amounts of radiant energy, especially infrared spectra. —bolometrist, n. —bolometric, adj.

curiescopy

radioscopy.

diathermancy

the capacity to transmit infrared radiation. —diathermanous, adj.

dosimeter

a device, carried or worn by people working near radiation for measuring the amount of radiation to which they are exposed.

dosimetry

the measurement by a dosimeter of the dosage of radiation a person might have received. See also drugs. —dosimetrist, n. —dosimetric, dosimetrical adj.

fluorometer

an instrument for measuring the emission of radiation in the form of visible light and identifying the substance that is its source. —fluorometric, adj.

fluorometry

the measurement of fluorescence, or visible radiation, by means of a fluorometer. —fluorometric, adj.

fluoroscopy

an examination by means of a screen coated with a fluorescent substance responsive to radiation from x rays. —fluoroscopic, adj.

metallography

the study of metals and their structures and properties by the use of microscopy and x rays.

pyelography

the science or technique of making x-ray photographs of the kidneys, renal pelves, and ureters, using injection of opaque solutions or radiopaque dyes. —pyelographic, adj.

radiesthesia

the sensitivity of some humans to radiation of various kinds, as in water divining or nonmedical diagnosis. —radiesthetic, adj.

radioactivity

the state, property, or process of being radioactive.

radiography

the production of photographic images on film using radiation from other radioactive substances instead of light. Also called x-ray scotography, shadowgraphy. —radiograph, radiographer, n. —radiographic, radiographical, adj.

radiology

1. the science that studies x rays or radiation from radioactive substances, esp. for medical purposes.

2. the examination or photographing of parts of the body with such rays.

3. the interpretation of the resulting photographs. —radiologist, n. —radiologie, radiological, adj.

radiometallography

the study of metals and their structures by the use of x rays.

radioscopy

the study or observation of the inner structure of opaque materials by means of x rays or other radioactive substances. Also called curiescopy.

radiosensibility

sensitivity to the effects of radiation, as of parts of the body. Also called radiosensitivity.

radiosensitivity

radiosensibility. —radiosensitive, adj.

radiotechnology

the science and technology of applying radiation and x rays to industrial use. See also radio.

radiotherapy

a method of treating diseases with x rays or the radiation from other radioactive substances. Also called actinotherapy. —radiotherapist, n. —radiotherapeutic, adj.

roentgenism

1. the treatment of disease with x rays or roentgen rays.

2. the effect of misuse or overexposure to these rays.

roentgenogram

an x-ray photograph.

roentgenography

x-ray photography.

scotograph

a radiograph.

shadowgraphy

radiography.

tomography