rays
|ray|
/reɪ/
(ray)
beam of light
Etymology
'ray' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'rai', where the Latin root 'radius' meant 'spoke (of a wheel) or beam (of light)'.
'ray' changed from Old French 'rai' (from Latin 'radius') and eventually became the modern English word 'ray' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'spoke (of a wheel)' in Latin, but over time it evolved into its current meanings such as 'beam of light', a 'radiating line', and later extended to other senses (e.g., the fish named for its shape).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a narrow beam or line of light coming from a bright source (e.g., the sun).
Sun rays warmed our faces during the picnic.
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Antonyms
Noun 2
any of various flat-bodied cartilaginous fishes (plural: rays), such as manta rays or stingrays.
Manta rays glide gracefully through the ocean.
Synonyms
Noun 3
in geometry, a half-line that starts at a point and extends infinitely in one direction (plural: rays).
In the diagram, the two rays meet at point O.
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Noun 4
high-energy emissions or lines of electromagnetic radiation (used in combinations, e.g., gamma rays, X-rays).
Gamma rays can penetrate many materials, so protection is needed.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/23 17:48