radius

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noun ra·di·us \ˈrā-dē-əs\

Definition of radius

plural

play \-dē-ˌī\ also

1 : a line segment extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or bounding surface
2a : the bone on the thumb side of the human forearm; also : a corresponding part of vertebrates above fishesb : the third and usually largest vein of an insect's wing
3a : the length of a radius a truck with a short turning radiusb : the circular area defined by a stated radiusc : a bounded or circumscribed area
4 : a radial part
5 : the distance from a center line or point to an axis of rotation

Latin, ray, radius

First Known Use: 1578

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noun ra·di·us \ˈrā-dē-əs\

: a straight line from the center of a circle or sphere to any point on the outer edge; also : the length of this line
: an area that goes outward in all directions from a particular place
medical : the bone in the lower part of your arm on the same side as your thumb

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noun ra·di·us \ˈrā-dē-əs\

plural

\-dē-ˌī\

1 : a straight line extending from the center of a circle to the outside edge or from the center of a sphere to the surface
2 : an area that extends in all directions from a place Most students live within a radius of five miles from the school.
3 : the bone on the thumb side of the arm between the wrist and the elbow

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noun ra·di·us \ˈrād-ē-əs\

plural

\-ē-ˌī\play also

: the bone on the thumb side of the human forearm or on the corresponding part of the forelimb of vertebrates above fishes that in humans is movably articulated with the ulna at both ends so as to permit partial rotation about that bone, that bears on its inner aspect somewhat distal to the head a prominence for the insertion of the biceps tendon, and that has the lower end broadened for articulation with the proximal bones of the carpus so that rotation of the radius involves also that of the hand