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X-ray (iou)



X-ray noun & verb. L19.
[translating German x-Strahlen (pl.), from Strahl ray, so called because at the time of discovery in 1895 the nature of the rays was unknown.]
A. noun.
In pl. Electromagnetic radiation of high energy and very short wavelength (between ultraviolet light and gamma rays, c 108-1011 m), capable of passing through many substances opaque to light, and used in medical diagnosis and treatment and in many methods of analysis. Formerly also called Roentgen rays. L19.
Cancer Research Exposure to leukemogenic doses of X-rays.
(An) examination in which X-rays are passed through a person or object to fall on a photographic plate, showing internal structure (e.g. the position of bones in the body) by the differential absorption of the rays. M20.
Daily Telegraph After a great deal of pain and misery I had an X-ray.
= X-RADIOGRAPH. M20.
New York Times Pictures of bones or organs that are far more detailed than X-rays.
(Without article.) An X-ray department in a hospital. M20.
R. Gordon The cheerful girls in X-ray.
Attrib. & comb.: Esp. in the senses 'using X-rays', as X-ray analysis, X-ray microscope, X-ray spectrometer, X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray telescope, etc.; 'emitting X-rays', as X-ray source, X-ray star, etc.; 'of or pertaining to the (esp. medical) use of X-rays', as X-ray department, X-ray room, X-ray table, etc. Special combs., as X-ray astronomer a person engaged in X-ray astronomy; X-ray astronomy the branch of astronomy that deals with the X-ray emissions of celestial objects; X-ray burster Astronomy a cosmic source of intermittent short-lived powerful bursts of X-rays, which typically last about a second; X-ray crystallographer a person engaged in X-ray crystallography; X-ray crystallography the study of crystals and their structure by means of the diffraction of X-rays by the regularly spaced atoms of a crystalline material; X-ray eyes fig. the apparent or supposed ability to see beyond an outward form or through opaque material; very acute discernment; X-ray spectrum a graph of intensity against wavelength or frequency for the X-rays absorbed or emitted by a material; X-ray tube an electron tube for generating X-rays by accelerating electrons to high energies and causing them to strike a target anode from which X-rays are emitted; X-ray vision = X-ray eyes above.
b. verb trans. Examine, photograph, or treat with X-rays. Also fig., look penetratingly at, examine in great detail. Usu. in pass. L19.
Daily Telegraph Suitcases, parcels and handbags go through the conveyor and their contents are X-rayed. Z. Tomin She was being X-rayed because of a suspected weak chest.
X-radiation noun X-rays L19.