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ray

noun

    1. any of the thin lines, or beams, of light that appear to come from a bright source
    2. a graphic representation of one of these, as in heraldry
    1. any of several lines radiating from a center; radius
    2. any straight line that extends from a point
  1. a disclosure of mental or spiritual enlightenment: a ray of intelligence
  2. a tiny amount; slight trace: a ray of hope
  3. Bot.
    1. ray flower
    2. any of the pedicels, or flower stalks, of an umbel
    3. a medullary ray
  4. Physics
    1. a stream of particles given off by a radioactive substance
    2. any of the particles in such a stream
    3. a straight line along which any part of a wave of radiant energy is regarded as traveling from its source to any given point
    4. a beam of radiant energy of very small diameter
  5. Zool.
    1. any of the bony spines supporting the fin membrane of a fish
    2. any of the sectors of a radially symmetrical animal, as a starfish

intransitive verb

  1. to shine forth in rays
  2. to radiate

transitive verb

  1. to send out in rays; emit
  2. to supply with rays or radiating lines

Related Forms:

noun

any of several orders (esp. Rajiformes) of cartilaginous fishes with a horizontally flat body, both eyes on the upper surface, widely expanded fins at each side, and a slender or whiplike tail, as the eagle rays, electric rays, and skates

noun

a masculine name

  1. Ray, Man 1890-1976; U.S. painter & photographer
  2. Ray, Satyajit 1921-92; Indian film writer & director

See ray in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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