Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

cosmic ray

noun Physics.

a radiation of high penetrating power that originates in outer space and consists partly of high-energy atomic nuclei.

California - Local www.local.com/ Looking for Local Information in California? Find it here!

Origin:
1920–25, Americanism

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To cosmic ray

00:10

00:09

00:08

00:07

00:06

00:05

00:04

00:03

00:02

00:01

Cosmic ray is always a great word to know.

So is absorption. Does it mean:

the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element; the number of protons determines the identity of the element

the removal of energy or particles from a beam by the medium through which the beam propagates

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

cosmic ray
A ray of radiation of extraterrestrial origin, consisting of one or more charged particles such as protons, alpha particles, and larger atomic nuclei. Cosmic rays entering the atmosphere collide with atoms, producing secondary radiation, such as pions, muons, electrons, and gamma rays. Cosmic rays (and secondary radiation) can be easily seen in a cloud chamber.

Word Dynamo Rating For Cosmic ray

People who can define Cosmic ray may know 45,520 words, as many as a 12th grader.

How many words do you know?

Upgrade to Ad-free Premium Membership!

Matching Quote

"Run fast, stand still. This, the lesson from lizards. For all writers. Observe almost any survival creature, you see the same. Jump, run, freeze. In the ability to flick like an eyelash, crack like a whip, vanish like steam, here this instant, gone the next—life teems the earth. And when that life is not rushing to escape, it is playing statues to do the same. See the hummingbird, there, not there. As thought arises and blinks off, so this thing of summer vapor; the clearing of a cosmic throat, the fall of a leaf. And where it was—a whisper. What can we writers learn from lizards, lift from birds? In quickness is truth. The faster you blurt, the more swiftly you write, the more honest you are. In hesitation is thought. In delay comes the effort for a style, instead of leaping upon truth which is the only style worth deadfalling or tiger-trapping. In between the scurries and flights, what? Be a chameleon, ink- blend, chromosome change with the landscape. Be a pet rock, lie with the dust, rest in the rainwater in the filled barrel by the drainspout outside your grandparents' window long ago."

-Ray Bradbury

Partners:Word Bloglines Citysearch The Daily Beast Ask Answers Ask Kids Life123 Sendori Thesaurus

About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help