X ray

noun

1. electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target (Freq. 6)

• Syn: ↑X-ray, ↑X-radiation, ↑roentgen ray

• Hypernyms: ↑electromagnetic radiation, ↑electromagnetic wave, ↑nonparticulate radiation, ↑ionizing radiation

2. a radiogram made by exposing photographic film to X rays; used in medical diagnosis

• Syn: ↑roentgenogram, ↑X-ray, ↑X-ray picture, ↑X-ray photograph

• Hypernyms: ↑radiogram, ↑radiograph, ↑shadowgraph, ↑skiagraph, ↑skiagram

• Hyponyms:

↑angiocardiogram, ↑angiogram, ↑arteriogram, ↑arthrogram, ↑encephalogram, ↑pneumoencephalogram, ↑hysterosalpingogram, ↑mammogram, ↑myelogram, ↑pyelogram, ↑venogram, ↑phlebogram

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\\ˈeksˌrā also ˈ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ noun

Usage: usually capitalized X

Etymology: x (I); translation of German x-strahl

1. : any of the electromagnetic radiations having the nature of visible light but a wavelength approximately between 0.1 and 100 angstroms that is usually produced by bombarding a metallic target with fast electrons in vacuum so that the spectrum of the radiation emitted consists of lines characteristic of the target material and that has the properties of ionizing a gas upon passage through it, of penetrating through various thicknesses of all solids, of producing secondary radiations by impinging on material bodies, and of acting on photographic films and plates and on fluorescent screens : a photon or a stream of photons produced by excitation of an atom by impact of a fast moving electron

2. : a photograph obtained by the use of X rays

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X|ray «EHKS _RAY», noun.

U.S. a code name for the letter x, used in transmitting radio messages.

X ray,

1. an electromagnetic ray having an extremely short wavelength that can go through substances that ordinary light cannot penetrate; roentgen ray. X rays are formed when a high-speed stream of electrons strikes a target, usually of metal, in a special kind of vacuum tube. X rays are used to locate breaks in bones, bullets lodged in the body, and other particles and malfunctions, and to diagnose and treat certain diseases.

2. a picture made by means of X rays.

╂[half-translation of obsolete German X-Strahlen plural < X, in sense of “unknown” + Strahl ray, beam]

Usage X ray is usually written with a capital X. It is not hyphenated as a noun, but it is as a verb or adjective: »

to X-ray the chest, an X-ray examination.

X-ray «EHKS _RAY», verb, adjective.

–v.t.

1. to examine, photograph, or treat with X rays: »

The doctor X-rayed my knee for broken bones.

2. to subject to very close scrutiny; examine minutely: »

The Republicans X-rayed the charge for legitimate political dynamite, and the Democrats prayed that it would pass (Manchester Guardian Weekly).

–v.i.

to use X rays: »

If…a doctor suspects tuberculosis, he may X-ray (Time).

–adj.

1. of or having to do with X rays.

2. by X rays: »

an X-ray examination of one's teeth.