ray (n.)

  1. a column of light (as from a beacon)

    [ Syn: beam , beam of light , light beam , ray of light , shaft , shaft of light , irradiation ]

  2. a branch of an umbel or an umbelliform inflorescence

  3. (mathematics) a straight line extending from a point

  4. a group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation

    [ Syn: beam , electron beam ]

  5. the syllable naming the second (supertonic) note of any major scale in solmization

    [ Syn: re ]

  6. any of the stiff bony spines in the fin of a fish

  7. cartilaginous fishes having horizontally flattened bodies and enlarged winglike pectoral fins with gills on the underside; most swim by moving the pectoral fins

    ray (v.)

  1. emit as rays; That tower rays a laser beam for miles across the sky'

  2. extend or spread outward from a center or focus or inward towards a center; spokes radiate from the hub of the wheel; This plants radiate spines in all directions

    [ Syn: radiate ]

  3. expose to radiation; irradiate food

    [ Syn: irradiate ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.