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ray

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Ray is defined as a beam coming from a light source.

(noun)

An example of ray is the light coming in through a window on a sunny day.

The definition of a ray is a fish with a skeleton mostly made of cartilage, a flat body with eyes on the top surface, wide fins and a whip-like tail.

(noun)

An example of a ray is what killed Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter.

See ray in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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
a disclosure of mental or spiritual enlightenment: a ray of intelligence
a tiny amount; slight trace: a ray of hope
Bot.
1. ray flower
2. any of the pedicels, or flower stalks, of an umbel
3. a medullary ray
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
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

Origin: 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

Related Forms:

rayless adjective
raylike adjective

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

Origin: ME < MFr raie < L raia

noun

a masculine name

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

See ray in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A thin line or narrow beam of light or other radiant energy.
b. A graphic or other representation of such a line.
Radiance; light.
A small amount; a trace: not a ray of hope left.
Mathematics A straight line extending from a point. Also called half-line.
A structure or part having the form of a straight line extending from a point.
Any of the bright streaks that are seen radiating from some craters on the moon.
Botany
a. A ray flower or the corolla of a ray flower.
b. A branch of an umbel.
Zoology
a. One of the bony spines supporting the membrane of a fish's fin.
b. One of the arms of a starfish or other radiate animal.
rays Slang Sunshine: Let's go to the beach and catch some rays.

transitive verb rayed, ray·ing, rays

To send out as rays; emit.
To supply with rays or radiating lines.
To cast rays on; irradiate.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French rai

Origin: , from Latin radius

noun

Any of various marine fishes of the order Rajiformes or Batoidei, having cartilaginous skeletons, horizontally flattened bodies, and narrow tails.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English raye

Origin: , from Old French raie

Origin: , from Latin raia

A promontory of extreme southwest Newfoundland, Canada, on Cabot Strait.

, John 1627-1705.

English naturalist who was the first to use anatomy to distinguish between specific plants and animals and established “species” as the basic classification of living things.

, Man 1890-1976.

American artist. A founder of Dada in New York, he is known for his photographs, paintings, sculpture, films, and later experiments with surrealism.

Indian filmmaker whose works, especially the trilogy including The World of Apu (1958), offer a contemplative depiction of Bengali life.

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