X-RAY Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

x-ray

or X-ray

[ eks-rey ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Physics.
1. Often x-rays. a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to light but of shorter wavelength and capable of penetrating solids and of ionizing gases.
2. such radiation having wavelengths in the range of approximately 0.1–10 nanometers.
a radiograph made by x-rays.
(initial capital letter) a word in communications to represent the letter X.

verb (used with object)

to examine, photograph, or treat with x-rays.

adjective

of or relating to x-rays:
x-ray examination of the digestive tract.
able to see through objects that are opaque:
the x-ray vision of Superman and other superheroes.
able to clearly and keenly perceive or recognize something that is not outwardly visible:
a teacher with x-ray intuition about her students.

X-ray

noun

1. electromagnetic radiation emitted when matter is bombarded with fast electrons. X-rays have wavelengths shorter than that of ultraviolet radiation, that is less than about 1 × 10 ^–8metres. They extend to indefinitely short wavelengths, but below about 1 × 10 ^–11metres they are often called gamma radiation
2. ( as modifier )
  X-ray astronomy
a picture produced by exposing photographic film to X-rays: used in medicine as a diagnostic aid as parts of the body, such as bones, absorb X-rays and so appear as opaque areas on the picture
usually capital communications a code word for the letter x

verb

to photograph (part of the body, etc) using X-rays
to treat or examine by means of X-rays

x-ray

/ ĕ��′��′ /

A high-energy stream of electromagnetic radiation having a frequency higher than that of ultraviolet light but less than that of a gamma ray (in the range of approximately 10 ¹⁶ to 10 ¹⁹ hertz). X-rays are absorbed by many forms of matter, including body tissues, and are used in medicine and industry to produce images of internal structures.
See more at electromagnetic spectrum
An image of an internal structure, such as a body part, taken with x-rays.

x-ray

A photograph or image obtained through the use of x-rays . An x-ray is taken when an image of internal body structures (such as bones or organs ) is needed to diagnose disease or determine the extent of injuries.

x-ray

A form of electromagnetic radiation with very high frequency and energy . X-rays lie between ultraviolet radiation and gamma radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum .

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Notes

Because x-rays can travel through solid material and affect photographic plates, they are widely used in diagnosing medical problems.

Objects in the sky also send out x-rays in processes that use very high energy.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of x-ray¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; translation of German X-Strahl (1895), the name originally given to the rays by Röntgen, their discoverer, x signifying their unknown nature

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of x-ray¹

C19: partial translation of German X-Strahlen (from Strahl ray), coined by W. K. Roentgen in 1895

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Example Sentences

Dr Mark Perlmutter says that doctors have had to work in operating rooms without soap, antibiotics or x-ray facilities, as Israel has resumed its offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

From

Police later released an x-ray that appeared to show an individual's abdomen with a foreign object inside.

From

The team used imaging with x-rays and electron microscopy to conclude that the brain must have been heated to at least 510C before cooling rapidly.

From

While the main focus is on CT scans, for example of the abdomen or chest, work is taking place to opportunistically glean information from other types of imaging too, including chest x-rays and mammograms.

From

Its radio bursts were accompanied by x-ray pulses, which indicate a highly magnetized source accelerating electrons to much higher energies than a white dwarf could muster.

From

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