Definition Definition

ray - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'ray' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Ray [ n.]
- Array; order; arrangement; dress.
- One of a number of lines or parts diverging from a common point or center, like the radii of a circle; as, a star of six rays.
- A radiating part of a flower or plant; the marginal florets of a compound flower, as an aster or a sunflower; one of the pedicels of an umbel or other circular flower cluster; radius. See Radius.
- One of the radiating spines, or cartilages, supporting the fins of fishes.
- One of the spheromeres of a radiate, especially one of the arms of a starfish or an ophiuran.
- A line of light or heat proceeding from a radiant or reflecting point; a single element of light or heat propagated continuously; as, a solar ray; a polarized ray.
- One of the component elements of the total radiation from a body; any definite or limited portion of the spectrum; as, the red ray; the violet ray. See Illust. under Light.
- Sight; perception; vision; -- from an old theory of vision, that sight was something which proceeded from the eye to the object seen.
- One of a system of diverging lines passing through a point, and regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions. See Half-ray.
- To mark with long lines; to streak.
- To send forth or shoot out; to cause to shine out; as, to ray smiles.
- Any one of numerous elasmobranch fishes of the order Raiae, including the skates, torpedoes, sawfishes, etc.
- In a restricted sense, any of the broad, flat, narrow-tailed species, as the skates and sting rays. See Skate.
2 . Ray [ v. i.]
- To shine, as with rays.
3 . Ray [ v. t.]
- To array.
- To mark, stain, or soil; to streak; to defile.

Meaning of 'ray' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . ray [ v]
Meaning (1):
- expose to radiation
Example in sentence:
  • irradiate food
Meaning (2):
- extend or spread outward from a center or focus or inward towards a center
Example in sentence:
  • spokes radiate from the hub of the wheel;
  • This plants radiate spines in all directions
Meaning (3):
- emit as rays
Example in sentence:
  • That tower rays a laser beam for miles across the sky