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irradiate

 - 5 dictionary results

ir⋅ra⋅di⋅ate

  [v. i-rey-dee-eyt; adj. i-rey-dee-it, -eyt] verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing, adjective
Use irradiate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to shed rays of light upon; illuminate.
2. to illumine intellectually or spiritually.
3. to brighten as if with light.
4. to radiate (light, illumination, etc.).
5. to heat with radiant energy.
6. to treat by exposure to radiation, as of ultraviolet light.
7. to expose to radiation.
–verb (used without object)
8. Archaic.
a. to emit rays; shine.
b. to become radiant.
–adjective
9. irradiated; bright.
Origin:
1595–1605; < L irradiātus, ptp. of irradiāre to shine upon. See ir- 1 , radiate

Related forms:
ir⋅ra⋅di⋅at⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
ir⋅ra⋅di⋅a⋅tive, adjective
ir⋅ra⋅di⋅a⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To irradiate
ir·ra·di·ate   (ĭ-rā'dē-āt')   
v.   ir·ra·di·at·ed, ir·ra·di·at·ing, ir·ra·di·ates

v.   tr.

    1. To expose to radiation.

    2. To treat with radiation: irradiate farm produce so as to destroy bacteria.

  2. To shed light on; illuminate.

  3. To manifest in a manner suggesting the emission of light; radiate: irradiate goodness.

v.   intr. Archaic

  1. To send forth rays; radiate.

  2. To become radiant.


[Latin irradiāre, irradiāt-, to illuminate : in-, on; see in-2 + radiāre, to shine; see radiate.]
ir·ra'di·a'tive adj., ir·ra'di·a'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

irradiate  (v.)
1603, "to cast beams of light upon," from L. irradiatus, pp. of irradiare "shine forth," from in- "in" + radiare "to shine" (see radiate). Meaning "expose to radiation other than light" (originally x-rays) is from 1901.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ir·ra·di·ate
Pronunciation: ir-'Ad-E-"At
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -at·ed; -at·ing
: to affect or treat by radiant energy (as heat); specifically : to treat by exposure to radiation (as ultraviolet light or gamma rays)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

irradiate ir·ra·di·ate (ĭ-rā'dē-āt')
v. ir·ra·di·at·ed, ir·ra·di·at·ing, ir·ra·di·ates

  1. To expose to radiation, as for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

  2. To treat with radiation.

  3. To apply radiation to a structure or organism.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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