X-ray
WordNet
noun
(1) A radiogram made by exposing photographic film to X rays; used in medical diagnosis
(2) Electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target
verb
(3) Take an x-ray of something or somebody
"The doctor x-rayed my chest"
(4) Examine by taking x-rays
WiktionaryText
Etymology
Transliteration of , coined by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen upon his discovery of the rays in 1895, signifying their unknown nature.
Noun
- Short wavelength electromagnetic radiation usually produced by bombarding a metal target in a vacuum. Used to create images of the internal structure of objects; this is possible because X-rays pass through most objects and can expose photographic film.
- X-rays are light with a wavelength between 0.1 and 10 nm.
- A radiograph: a photograph made with X-rays.
- "The doctor ordered some X-rays of my injured wrist."
- An X-ray machine.
- The letter X in the ICAO spelling alphabet.
Synonyms
Röntgen radiation / Rontgen radiation / Roentgen radiation Röntgen rays / Rontgen rays / Roentgen rays X-ray radiationVerb
- To take a radiograph of; to obtain an image of using X-ray radiation, especially for the purpose of medical diagnostic evaluation.
- Of course there was nothing wrong with my left wrist. They X-rayed the wrong arm!
Adjective
- Of or having to do with x-rays.
- I had to put my bags through an X-ray scanner at the airport.