Definition

1. Noun:

   • Electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength: A form of high-energy radiation that can pass through many solid objects, used especially in medicine to see inside the body and in industry to inspect materials.
   • A picture made using X-rays: A photographic image or digital record produced by the action of X-rays, typically used to examine the internal structure of something, such as bones in the body.

2. Verb:

   • To photograph or examine using X-rays: To take an image of the inside of an object or a person's body using X-ray radiation.
   • To treat with X-rays: To use X-ray radiation for medical treatment, such as in radiotherapy.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The dentist took an X-ray of my tooth to check for a cavity.
  • X-rays are a valuable tool for diagnosing fractures.

• Verb:

  • The doctor will X-ray your ankle to see if it's broken.
  • Security personnel X-ray all luggage at the airport.

Advanced Usage

• "To X-ray something through": To examine something thoroughly, often metaphorically.
  • The investigator X-rayed the company's finances, looking for any irregularities. (This is a figurative use meaning to scrutinize intensely.)

Variants and Related Words

• X-rayed (adj): Having been examined or photographed with X-rays.

  • The X-rayed film showed a clear image of the bone structure.

• X-ray machine (n): A device used to generate and detect X-rays.

  • The hospital installed a new digital X-ray machine.

• X-ray vision (n): A fictional superpower to see through solid objects; used figuratively to describe keen insight.

  • The manager seemed to have X-ray vision for spotting problems in the project plan.

Synonyms

• Radiograph (n): A technical term for an image produced by radiation, especially an X-ray.
• Roentgenogram (n): An older term for an X-ray image, named after Wilhelm Röntgen, the discoverer of X-rays.
• Scan (v/n): To examine or an examination using a scanning technique, which can include X-rays but also other methods like MRI.

Related Phrases

• Chest X-ray: A specific X-ray image of the chest, commonly used to examine the heart and lungs.

  • A routine chest X-ray is part of the physical exam.

• X-ray diffraction: A technique using X-rays to determine the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal.

  • X-ray diffraction is essential in the field of materials science.

Idioms

• To have/get an X-ray: A common phrase meaning to undergo an X-ray examination.
  • After the fall, I had to go to the clinic to get an X-ray.

Verb

1. take an x-ray of something or somebody
   • The doctor x-rayed my chest
2. examine by taking x-rays

Noun

1. a radiogram made by exposing photographic film to X rays; used in medical diagnosis
2. electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target