emission
/ɪˈmɪʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1The production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation: the effects of lead emission on health [count noun]: cuts in carbon dioxide emissions...
- This random emission of photons leaves the resulting electron beam with a fuzzy, rather than a sharply defined focus.
- Radioactivity is the process of emission of radiation as a radioactive material changes form, often to a different element.
- Radiation emission from mobile phones must be cut by 80 per cent, a group of UK MPs said yesterday.
Synonyms
discharge, release, outpouring, outflow, outrush, leak, excretion, secretion, ejection;
emanation, radiation, exhalation, exudation, exuding, venting, effusion, ejaculation, disgorgement, issuance, issue;
oozing, leaking
1.1 [count noun] An ejaculation of semen: nocturnal emissions...
- Even well into this century, versions of this dire belief - that one's bodily supply of energy could be squandered by sexual emissions - hung on.
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'emanation'): from Latin emissio(n-), from emiss- 'sent out', from the verb emittere (see emit).
An emission is literally something sent out, coming from Latin emittere ‘to send out’. An emissary (early 17th century) is a person sent out, and comes from Latin emissarius ‘scout, spy’, from emittere. Emit (early 17th century) is from the same source.