Dictionary

1ray

noun \ˈrā\

Definition of RAY

:  any of an order (Rajiformes) of usually marine cartilaginous fishes (as stingrays and skates) having the body flattened dorsoventrally, the eyes on the upper surface, and enlarged pectoral fins fused with the head
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Origin of RAY

Middle English raye, from Anglo-French raie, from Latin raia
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Fishes Terms

char, chum, ichthyology, smelt, tetra, turbot

2ray

noun

Definition of RAY

1
a :  any of the lines of light that appear to radiate from a bright object
b :  a beam of radiant energy (as light) of small cross section
c (1) :  a stream of material particles traveling in the same line (as in radioactive phenomena)
(2) :  a single particle of such a stream
2
a :  light cast by rays :  radiance
b :  a moral or intellectual light
3
:  a thin line suggesting a ray: as
a :  any of a group of lines diverging from a common center
b :  half line
4
a :  one of the bony rods that extend and support the membrane in the fin of a fish
b :  one of the radiating divisions of the body of a radiate animal (as a starfish)
5
a :  a branch or flower stalk of an umbel
b (1) :  medullary ray
(2) :  vascular ray
c :  ray flower 1
6
:  particle, trace <a ray of hope>
rayed \ˈrād\ adjective

Origin of RAY

Middle English, from Anglo-French rai, from Latin radius rod, ray
First Known Use: 14th century

3ray

verb

Definition of RAY

intransitive verb
1
a :  to shine in or as if in rays
b :  to issue as rays
2
:  to extend like the radii of a circle :  radiate
transitive verb
1
:  to emit in rays
2
:  to furnish or mark with rays

First Known Use of RAY

1598

Ray

biographical name \ˈrā\

Definition of RAY

John 1627–1705 Eng. naturalist

Ray

biographical name

Definition of RAY

Nicholas 1911–1979 born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle Am. film director

Ray

biographical name \ˈrī, ˈrā\

Definition of RAY

Satyajit 1921–1992 Indian film director, writer, & producer
RAY Defined for Kids

1ray

noun \ˈrā\

Definition of RAY for Kids

1
:  one of the lines of light that appear to be given off by a bright object <rays of sunlight>
2
:  a thin beam of radiant energy (as light)
3
:  light cast in rays
4
:  a tiny bit :  particle <a ray of hope>
5
:  any of a group of lines that spread out from the same center
6
:  a straight line extending from a point in one direction only
7
:  a slender plant or animal structure <Bony rays support a fish's fin.>

2ray

noun

Definition of RAY for Kids

:  a flat broad fish (as a skate or stingray) related to the shark that has its eyes on the top of its head and often winglike fins
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