actinic ray

actinic ray

n. Photochemically active radiation, as of the sun.

actin′ic ray′

n. a ray of light of short wavelengths, as ultraviolet or violet, that produces photochemical effects. [1835–45]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

actinic ray - electromagnetic radiation that can produce photochemical reactionsactinic radiationelectromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic wave, nonparticulate radiation - radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration of an electric chargeelectromagnetic spectrum - the entire frequency range of electromagnetic wavesinfrared emission, infrared light, infrared radiation, infrared - electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waveslight, visible light, visible radiation - (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation; "the light was filtered through a soft glass window"ultraviolet, ultraviolet illumination, ultraviolet light, ultraviolet radiation, UV - radiation lying in the ultraviolet range; wave lengths shorter than light but longer than X rays