that property of ultraviolet light, X-rays, or other radiations, by which chemical changes are produced
Word origin
actin- + -ism
actinism in American English
(ˈæktəˌnɪzəm)
noun
the property of radiation by which chemical effects are produced
Word origin
[1835–45; actin- + -ism]This word is first recorded in the period 1835–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: daisy chain, hybridize, protein, serial, squeegee-ism is a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nounsfrom verbs (baptism). On this model, -ism is used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice,state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion oradherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism)