ray1

noun

• 1each 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
• 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
• (with adjective or noun modifier rays) a specified form of non-luminous radiation:ultraviolet rays
• (rays) informal, chiefly North American sunlight considered in the context of sunbathing:catch some rays on a sandy beach
• an initial or slight indication of a positive or welcome quality:if only I could see some ray of hope

• 2 Mathematics any of a set of straight lines passing through one point: the ray that runs from the centre of the circle to the point of tangency

• 3a thing that is arranged radially, in particular:
• Botany any of the individual strap-shaped florets around the edge of the flower of a daisy or related plant.
• (also fin ray) Zoology each of the long slender bony supports in the fins of most bony fishes.
• Zoology each radial arm of a starfish.

verb

• spread from or as if from a central point:delicate lines rayed out at each corner of her eyes
• [with object and adverbial of direction] literary radiate (light):the sun rays forth its natural light into the air