any of the lines of light that appear to radiate from a bright object
a narrow beam of radiant energy, e.g. light or X-rays
a stream of particles, esp radioactive particles, travelling in the same line
a thin line suggesting a ray
any of a group of lines diverging from a common centre
chiefly NAmer, informal (in pl) sunlight considered as a tanning agent
a slight manifestation or trace, e.g. of intelligence or hope
a ray of hope
any of the strap-shaped florets forming the outer ring of the head of a composite plant, e.g. an aster or daisy
= ray flower
any of the bony rods that support the fin of a fish
any of the radiating parts of the body of a radially symmetrical animal, e.g. a starfish
rayed adj
rayless adj
[Middle English via French from Latin radius rod, ray, radius]