ray
Narrow light stream
A ray is a narrow beam of light or radiation extending from a source: A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds.
The word extends to anything radiating outward from a center—the arms of a starfish, lines in geometry, or the bony spines supporting a fish's fin.
A ray of hope or a ray of comfort is a small amount that brings relief.
A ray is also a flat-bodied fish with wing-like fins, related to sharks—stingrays and manta rays being the best known. (Capitalized Ray is a given name.)
Flat fish, poisonous tail
- mantaLarge flat cartilaginous fish
- skateGliding boot or flatfish
- barbBackward-pointing spike
- cartilaginousComposed of flexible connective tissue
venomous · wingspan · glide · benthic · pelagic · gill · tail · aquarium
Shaft of daylight
- beamStructural support member
- shaftNarrow vertical passage
- gleamFaint reflected light
- glowSteady, soft light
shimmer · sparkle · glare · brightness · illumination · luminosity · radiance · glint
Faint, wavering light
- beaconGuiding light source
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- optimismTendency to expect good
promise · encouragement · glimpse · silver lining · dawn · breakthrough · sunshine · comfort
Continuous mark or queue
- vectorQuantity with direction
- originStarting point or source
- pointExact location or meaning
- directionWay something faces
angle · segment · coordinate · axis · emanate · radiate · projection · diverge
Greek alphabet's third
- alphaFirst Greek letter
- betaGreek alphabet's second letter
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
cosmic · ionizing · radioactive · wavelength · electromagnetic · spectrum · dosimeter · radiology
stingray
Flat fish, poisonous tail
cartilaginous · venomous · wingspan · glide · benthic · pelagic · gill · tail · aquarium
sunbeam
Shaft of daylight
glow · shimmer · sparkle · glare · brightness · illumination · luminosity · radiance · glint · flare
glimmer
Faint, wavering light
optimism · promise · encouragement · glimpse · silver lining · dawn · breakthrough · sunshine · comfort · guidance
line
Continuous mark or queue
direction · angle · segment · coordinate · axis · emanate · radiate · projection · diverge · converge
gamma
Greek alphabet's third
- alphaFirst Greek letter
- betaGreek alphabet's second letter
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
infrared · cosmic · ionizing · radioactive · wavelength · electromagnetic · spectrum · dosimeter · radiology · radiotherapy
rayflood
Overwhelming water overflow
deluge · flood of light · torrent · abundance · profusion
rayconverge
Meet at a point
focus · concentrate · meet · funnel · centralize
- ray of sunshineIncurably upbeat person
- ray of lightNarrow band of brightness
- ray of hopeSmall cause for optimism
- catch some raysDeliberately expose skin to sun
- ray gunFictional beam-emitting weapon
- UV raysInvisible solar radiation