X-ray

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   take an x-ray of something or somebody

   The doctor x-rayed my chest

2. 2
   noun

   A ray of short-wavelength electromagnetic radiation usually produced by bombarding a metal target in a vacuum. Used to create images of the internal structure of objects; this is possible because X-rays pass through most objects and can expose photographic film.

   X-rays are light with a wavelength between 0.1 and 10 nm.

3. 3
   noun

   A radiograph: an image made with X-rays.

   The doctor ordered some X-rays of my injured wrist.

4. 4
   verb

   To take a radiograph of; to obtain an image of using X-ray radiation, especially for the purpose of medical diagnostic evaluation.

   Of course there was nothing wrong with my left wrist. They X-rayed the wrong arm!

5. 5
   adj

   Of or relating to X-rays.

   I had to put my bags through an X-ray scanner at the airport.

6. 6
   noun

   Alternative letter-case form of X-ray.

   … analogous to x-ray image formation …

7. 7
   noun

   a radiogram made by exposing photographic film to X rays

8. 8
   noun

   electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target

Etymology

From X + ray, a calque of German X-Strahl, coined by Wilhelm Röntgen upon his discovery of the rays in 1895, where X signifies their unknown nature. The chess sense is metaphorical, referring to control passing through a seemingly solid barrier.