ultraviolet

C1 Topic:Science & Research
US /ˌʌl.trəˈvaɪə.lət/ UK /ˌʌl.trəˈvaɪə.lət/
adj noun Freq #21092

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    relating to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible violet light, conventionally about 10 to 400 nanometers

    Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun can damage DNA and cause sunburn.

  2. 2
    noun

    the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, or radiation within that region

    The protective glass blocks most of the ultraviolet before it reaches the specimen.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · relating to electromagnetic... UV
2 noun · the ultraviolet region of... UVultraviolet lightultraviolet radiation
Word family
Related forms infraredvisible lightelectromagnetic spectrumradiation

Etymology

Formed from ultra- ("beyond") + violet. The name places this radiation beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum, where its frequency is higher and its wavelength is shorter than visible violet light.

Topics

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