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   ray

   /rā/

   noun

   • 1. each of the lines in which light (and heat) may seem to stream from the sun or any luminous body, or pass through a small opening: "a ray of sunlight came through the window" Similar beamshaftstreakbarpencilfingerstreamgleamflashglintglimmerflickertwinkleshimmer
   • ▪ the straight line in which light or other electromagnetic radiation travels to a given point: "take a specific point and back-trace every ray of light that hits that point"
   • ▪ a specified form of nonluminous radiation: "water reflects and intensifies UV rays"
   • ▪ sunlight considered in the context of sunbathing: informal North American "Sarah's catching some rays on a beach in Cruz Bay"
   • ▪ an initial or slight indication of a positive or welcome quality in a time of difficulty or trouble: "if only I could see some ray of hope" Similar glimmerflickersparkglinttracehintindicationsuggestionsignscintillawhisper
   • 2. any of a set of straight lines passing through one point: "the ray that runs from the center of the circle to the point of tangency"
   • 3. a thing that is arranged radially.
   • ▪ (in a composite flower head of the daisy family) an array of ray florets arranged radially around the central disc, forming the white part of the flower head of a daisy.
   • ▪ each of the long, slender bony protuberances supporting the fins of most bony fishes.
   • ▪ each radial arm of a starfish.

   verb

   • 1. spread from or as if from a central point: "delicate lines rayed out at each corner of her eyes"
   • ▪ radiate (light): "the sun rays forth its natural light into the air"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French rai, based on Latin radius ‘spoke, ray’. The verb dates from the late 16th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. raylet noun

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • Y

     4

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