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Ray Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’ก
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ray

[reษช ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

light

A narrow beam of light.

Synonyms

beam, gleam, shaft.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ray

Repeated mistakenly, no additional context or examples needed.
beam

Refers to a wide stream of light or energy. Often used when describing powerful sources of light, such as searchlights, headlights, or lasers.

  • The lighthouse beamed its light across the ocean.
  • A laser beam can cut through metal.
shaft

Describes a narrow, long line of light, often coming through an opening. Commonly used in expressive writing.

  • A shaft of light pierced through the dark room.
  • He stood silently as a shaft of sunlight illuminated his face.
gleam

Describes a soft, shining light, often reflected from a surface. Used in poetic or descriptive contexts.

  • The gleam of the moonlight on the water was beautiful.
  • Her eyes had a mischievous gleam.

Examples of usage

  • The sun's rays shone through the window.
  • She felt the warmth of the rays on her skin.
Context #2 | Noun

marine biology

A flat-bodied marine fish with a whip-like tail, found in warm seas.

Synonyms

skate, stingray.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ray

In marine biology, this word refers to a group of fish with flattened bodies and extended pectoral fins, such as the manta ray.

  • The diver spotted a large ray gliding gracefully through the water.
  • Rays are closely related to sharks but have distinctly different body shapes.
skate

Use this term when referring to a type of fish related to rays, known for their flat bodies and wing-like pectoral fins. Commonly found in colder waters.

  • The fisherman caught a large skate during his trip to the North Atlantic.
  • Skates are often mistaken for stingrays due to their similar appearance.
stingray

This word is used to describe a specific type of ray that has a venomous spine on its tail used for defense, often found in warm, shallow waters.

  • The tourist was careful to avoid stepping on a stingray while wading in the shallow water.
  • Stingray injuries can be serious and require immediate medical attention.

Examples of usage

  • The manta ray gracefully glided through the water.
  • Divers were amazed by the size of the ray swimming below them.
Context #3 | Noun

mathematics

A line that extends indefinitely in one direction from a point.

Synonyms

line, vector.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ray

In geometry, a ray is a line that starts at one point and goes infinitely in one direction.

  • In the diagram, the ray starts at point A and extends infinitely to the right
  • A ray has one endpoint and extends infinitely in one direction
line

Commonly used in geometry, transportation routes, or to describe a long, thin mark.

  • Draw a straight line across the paper
  • The metro line will take you directly to the city center
vector

Primarily used in physics and mathematics to describe a quantity having both magnitude and direction.

  • The displacement vector points from the starting position to the ending position
  • Velocity is a vector quantity as it has both speed and direction

Examples of usage

  • The ray starts at point A and goes on forever in one direction.
  • In geometry, a ray has one endpoint and extends indefinitely.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Physics

  • Light travels in rays, and they can be straight lines until they hit an object or pass through different materials.
  • Rays can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed depending on what they encounter, which affects how we see things.

Pop Culture

  • Rays are often featured in movies as special effects to show magical or otherworldly powers, like laser beams in sci-fi films.
  • The term 'ray' also appears in several music album titles and song lyrics, often symbolizing hope or positivity.

Biology

  • Animals like stingrays are named after their flat bodies which resemble rays of light spread out.
  • Certain rays can emit bio-luminescence, which means they can glow in the dark, just like some sea creatures!

Literature

  • In poetry, rays of light often symbolize knowledge or enlightenment, suggesting hope or inspiration.
  • Authors have used rays as metaphors for truth or clarity emerging from confusion or darkness.

Origin of 'ray'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'ray' comes from the Latin term 'radius,' meaning 'spoke of a wheel' or 'beam.'
  • In Old English, 'ra' meant 'beam of light,' showing how long the term has been used in connection with illumination.

The word 'ray' has a rich history, dating back to Middle English and Old French. It originally referred to a beam of light or a spoke of a wheel. Over time, its meanings expanded to include a flat-bodied fish and a mathematical concept. The modern usage of 'ray' reflects its diverse origins and continues to be used in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,665, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.