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.
• [with adjective] (rays) a specified form of nonluminous radiation:water reflects and intensifies UV rays
• Mathematics any of a set of straight lines passing through one point.
• (rays) informal, chiefly North American sunlight considered in the context of sunbathing: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

• 2a thing that is arranged radially, in particular.
• Botany (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.
• (also fin ray) Zoology each of the long, slender bony protuberances supporting 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] literary radiate (light):the sun rays forth its natural light into the air