ray¹ Definition
ray (rā)
noun
- any of the thin lines, or beams, of light that appear to come from a bright source
- a graphic representation of one of these, as in heraldry
- any of several lines radiating from a center; radius
- any straight line that extends from a point
- a disclosure of mental or spiritual enlightenment a ray of intelligence
- a tiny amount; slight trace a ray of hope
- Bot.
- ray flower
- any of the pedicels, or flower stalks, of an umbel
- a medullary ray
- Physics
- a stream of particles given off by a radioactive substance
- any of the particles in such a stream
- a straight line along which any part of a wave of radiant energy is regarded as traveling from its source to any given point
- a beam of radiant energy of very small diameter
- Zool.
- any of the bony spines supporting the fin membrane of a fish
- any of the sectors of a radially symmetrical animal, as a starfish
Etymology: OFr rai < L radius: see radius
intransitive verb
- to shine forth in rays
- to radiate
transitive verb
- to send out in rays; emit
- to supply with rays or radiating lines
ray¹ Related Forms
ray² Definition
ray (rā)
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
Etymology: ME < MFr raie < L raia
Ray¹ Definition
Ray (rā)
noun
a masculine name
Ray² Definition
Ray (rā; for 2 rī, rā)
Ray, Man 1890-1976; U.S. painter & photographer
Ray, Satyajit 1921-92; Indian film writer & director
ray Synonyms
ray
n.
Types of rays include: Roentgen, cosmic, ultraviolet, infrared, gamma, beta, alpha; X-ray, visible light, microwave, radio wave.
ray Telecom Definition
ray Usage Examples
Converse of object
emit: Gamma rays emitted by the isotope that undergo Compton interactions in the detectors are tracked.
Converse of subject
bombard: The Earth is bombarded by gamma rays all the time, but usually there aren't enough to do any damage to us.
Adjective modifier
- cosmic: Cosmic rays can cause bits to flip, latch up, or burn out in computer memories.
- ultraviolet: The sun's ultraviolet rays are still bearing down on you.
- crepuscular: With the sun rising behind there was a short display of upward crepuscular rays.
- spotted: We even spotted a turtle happily munching away at the coral and a couple of blue spotted reef rays in the sand.
- harmful: They are totally safe, with no emissions, smells, noise, or harmful rays.
Modifies a noun
- albertini: Auto canada cheap in insurance pledge was just coming from the in the camp ray albertini special.
- floret: The flower heads are made up of lemon-yellow ray florets.
- burst: The group is part of the EU gamma ray burst network.
- tube: Nearly all cathode ray tubes disposed of from domestic households end up in landfill.
Noun used with modifier
- gamma: A burst of gamma rays from space lasting from a fraction of a second to many minutes.
- cathode: Next april's wpt has been the of cathode rays in darkness produced.
- manta: Later in the year, manta rays migrate up the coast in large numbers.
- uranium: Products driven by uranium rays had spies then reported.
- rontgen: Virtual unknown rated on them within was due at rontgen rays.
- eagle: There, in the distance, was an eagle ray.
Possessives
sun: The sun's rays shone through the windows onto the newly painted upright pianos.
Preposition: of
Browse dictionary entries near ray
- ‹ Rawnsley, Andrew
- ‹ rawinsonde
- ‹ rawin
- ‹ rawhide
- ‹ rawboned
- ‹ Rawalpindi
- ‹ raw silk
- ‹ raw material
- ‹ raw bar
- ‹ raw

