infrared ray
1
4.4
- noun
- /ˌɪnfrəˈrɛd reɪ/
- Specialized
:
rayo infrarrojo
- Thermal cameras detect heat emitted from objects as infrared rays, which are invisible to the human eye.
- infrared ray-sensitive
Examples
-
Hot bodies emit heat in the form of infrared rays, and the wavelength of the emitted rays depends on the temperature of the emitting body.
Academic text (1995) -
Still water does not reflect infrared rays and appears black in a photograph, while green deciduous leaves having enough chlorophyll reflect the rays more effectively and appear unusually white.
Academic text (1995) -
Sunlight is rich in infrared rays.
Academic text (1995) -
Thus, pictures of hot bodies can be taken in darkness, utilizing their infrared rays.
Academic text (1995) -
The infrared ray was discovered by a British astronomer, Sir William Herschel.
Academic text (1995) -
As they get hotter, their infrared rays become shorter in wavelength.
Academic text (1995) -
The body, bellows, film holders, and draw slides must be tested to ensure that they do not transmit infrared rays.
Academic text (1995) -
This heat is absorbed by the objects on Earth, and when they get heated up, they start emitting infrared rays having wavelengths larger than that of the sun.
Academic text (1995) -
Many remote controls use infrared rays to send signals to televisions and other devices.
-
Animals like snakes can sense infrared rays to locate prey in the dark.
Synonyms
5
4.0
Light you cannot see that often feels warm
5
4.8
Light with waves longer than red light that you cannot see but feel as heat
4
4.2
A type of light we cannot see that warm things give off
Invisible light that warm things give off
How Energetic
- Specialized
21
4.2
- Specialized
99
3.2
- Specialized
5
3.9
- Specialized
83
7.3
- Specialized
10
3.4
- Specialized
1
4.4
- Specialized
55
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'infrared' specifies the spectral type and 'ray' denotes a beam, so the overall meaning is directly derivable from the parts. This follows normal English compounding and has clear cross-linguistic analogues (e.g., Spanish 'rayo infrarrojo'), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand it.
Etymology
Infrared ray is named from its place next to red light in the rainbow: infrared literally means 'below' red, so it is light just past the red we can see and is felt as 'heat'. That's why the term refers to an invisible ray that warms things.