radiation etymology

Etymology

  • [Latin] radiare "to radiate, emit rays"
  • [Indo-European] h₁reh₁-/ "to shine"

Meaning and Origin

The word "radiation" originally referred to the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles. It is derived from the Latin verb "radiare," meaning "to radiate, emit rays."

This verb is in turn derived from the Indo-European root h₁reh₁-/, which means "to shine." The same root also gives rise to other words related to light and brightness, such as "ray," "radius," and "rainbow."

In physics, radiation refers to the emission or propagation of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles, including alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

The term is often used in the context of nuclear reactions and the release of energy from radioactive materials.

radiation relate terms

  • radius

    Etymology Late Latin radius Classical Latin radius ray spoke of a wheel Proto Ind

  • radiation

    Etymology Latin radiare to radiate emit rays Indo European h₁reh₁ to shine

  • radical

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word radix meaning root Meaning Fundamental

  • radical

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word radix meaning root Meaning Fundamental

  • radiance

    Etymology Latin radiare to emit rays From the Proto Indo European root reh₁d

  • laser

    Etymology The word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission

  • emanation

    Etymology Late Latin emanatio flowing forth emanation Latin emanare to flow forth

  • beta

    Etymology of beta The word beta comes from the second letter of the Greek alphabet

  • spectrum

    Etymology The word spectrum comes from the Latin word spectrum which means appariti

  • beam

    Etymology The word beam has several different origins Old English bēam log tre

  • syndrome

    Etymology From French syndrome group of symptoms from Greek syndromē a running tog

  • energy

    Etymology The word energy is derived from the Ancient Greek word ενέργεια en

  • action

    Etymology Old French action from Latin actio from agere to act Meaning The pro