x-ray

or X-ray

[ eks-rey ]

noun

1. 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.
2. a radiograph made by x-rays.
3. (initial capital letter) a word in communications to represent the letter X.

verb (used with object)

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

adjective

1. of or relating to x-rays:

   x-ray examination of the digestive tract.

2. able to see through objects that are opaque:

   the x-ray vision of Superman and other superheroes.

3. 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. 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

2. 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
3. usually capital communications a code word for the letter x

verb

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

x-ray

/ ĕks′rā′ /

1. 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.
2. See more at electromagnetic spectrum
3. An image of an internal structure, such as a body part, taken with x-rays.

x-ray

¹

1. 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

²

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

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.

Word 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of x-ray¹

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

Example Sentences

“I’ll take this one to Harare. He needs an X ray,” the Afrikaner told the nurse.

From Literature

J. D. Bernal, the crystallographer, would later call them the “most beautiful X ray photographs of any substance ever taken.”

From Literature

The culprit is insecure servers that hospitals are using to store X rays, ultrasounds and CT scans and that hackers can crack into with easy-to-download software.

From Washington Post

Just before Thanksgiving, Doc Lassiter ordered Dad to get an X ray.

From Literature

They had discovered the X ray, the cathode ray, the electron, and radioactivity, invented the ohm, the watt, the Kelvin, the joule, the amp, and the little erg.

From Literature

Related Words

• radioactivity
• Roentgen rays
• Röntgen rays