irradiating definition | Dictionary.com

ir⋅ra⋅di⋅ate

[v. i-rey-dee-eyt; adj. i-rey-dee-it, -eyt]

verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing, adjective

–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)

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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ir·ra·di·ate   (ĭ-rā'dē-āt') Pronunciation Key
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.
To shed light on; illuminate.
To manifest in a manner suggesting the emission of light; radiate: irradiate goodness.

v. intr. Archaic

To send forth rays; radiate.
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.

irradiate (ĭ-rā'dē-āt') Pronunciation Key
To expose to or treat with radiation. For example, meat sold as food is often irradiated with x-rays or other radiation to kill bacteria; uranium 238 can be irradiated with neutrons to create fissionable plutonium 239.

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