Definition of Xray
—a communications code word for the letter x
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First Known Use of xray
1943
x-ray
play
verb,
often capitalized
\
ˈeks-ˌrā
\
Definition of x-ray
transitive verb
:to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays
First Known Use of x-ray
1899
X-ray
play
noun
\
ˈeks-ˌrā
\
Definition of X-ray
1
:any of the electromagnetic radiations that have an extremely short wavelength of less than 100 angstroms and have the properties of penetrating various thicknesses of all solids, of producing secondary radiations by impinging on material bodies, and of acting on photographic films and plates as light does
2
:a photograph obtained by use of X-rays
—
X-ray
adjectiveFirst Known Use of x-ray
1896
XRAY Defined for English Language Learners
x-ray
play
verb
Definition of x-ray for English Language Learners
-
: to examine and make images of (things, such as the bones and organs inside the body) by using X-rays
X-ray
play
noun
Definition of X-ray for English Language Learners
-
X-rays : powerful invisible rays that can pass through various objects and that make it possible to see inside things (such as the human body)
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: an image that is created by using X-rays and that is usually used for medical purposes
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: a medical examination that involves using X-rays
XRAY Defined for Kids
x-ray
verb,
often capitalized X
\
ˈeks-ˌrā
\
Definition of x-ray for Students
x-rayed;
x-raying
:to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays
My arm was x-rayed for broken bones.
X-ray
noun
\
ˈeks-ˌrā
\
Definition of X-ray for Students
1
:a powerful invisible ray made up of very short waves that is somewhat similar to light and that is able to pass through some solids and acts on photographic film like light
2
:a photograph taken by the use of X-rays
- an X-ray of the lungs
History for x-ray
In November, 1895, the German scientist Wilhelm Röntgen was conducting an experiment on the properties of electron tubes. He noticed that a fluorescent surface in the vicinity of the tube would light up even if shielded from the tube's direct light. A thick metal object would block some of the rays, while a less dense object such as wood would cast only a weak shadow. Röntgen's explanation was that the tube produced some type of invisible radiation that could pass through substances that blocked ordinary light. Because he did not know the nature of this radiation, he named it X-Strahl—translated into English as X-ray—based on the mathematical use of x to indicate an unknown quantity.
Medical Dictionary
x-ray
transitive verb,
often capitalized X
\
ˈeks-ˌrā
\
medical Definition of x-ray
:to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays
X-ray
noun
medical Definition of X-ray
1
:any of the electromagnetic radiations of the same nature as visible radiation but of an extremely short wavelength less than 100 angstroms that is produced by bombarding a metallic target with fast electrons in vacuum or by transition of atoms to lower energy states and that has the properties of ionizing a gas upon passage through it, of penetrating various thicknesses of all solids, of producing secondary radiations by impinging on material bodies, of acting on photographic films and plates as light does, and of causing fluorescent screens to emit light — called also
roentgen ray
2
:a photograph obtained by use of X-rays
- a chest X-ray
—
X-ray
adjectiveSeen and Heard
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