☢️ Radiation exposure 🧠 Effect spreading 💡 Visual spreading

irradiation

1 8.8

The spread of pain or nerve signals beyond their original area

noun
/ɪˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən/

Specialized

: irradiación

The irradiation of pain in the cortex can make it difficult to locate the true origin of discomfort.

Examples

The irradiation of pain can be felt in other parts of the body.
I learned about irradiation during my psychology class.
In severe cases, sensory irradiation may cause a patient to perceive touch in a much wider area than was stimulated.
Neurologists study irradiation to better understand how brain injuries affect the spread of neural signals.
The irradiation of pain from her back made it hard for her to concentrate on her work.
He felt the irradiation of fear spreading from his chest to his limbs during the tense situation.
After the treatment, the doctor explained how the irradiation could affect different parts of her body.

Antonyms

localization

Specialized

1 6.6

The idea that certain tasks happen in specific small parts of the brain or body

How Wide

generalization

Specialized

1 6.3

diffusion

5 5.8

irradiation

Specialized

1 8.8

localization

Specialized

1 6.6

Surface Forms

irradiation singular

irradiations plural

Morphology

irradiation = irradiate (semi-transparent) = ir + radiate + ion

Morphologically regular as 'irradiate' + '-ion', but the sense of 'spreading' (e.g., of pain or impulses) is a metaphorical extension rather than a literal exposure to radiation.

Etymology

Irradiation has the root radi- meaning 'ray' and gives the image of something that spreads or 'radiates' out. A helpful way to remember this sense is to think of pain or a signal sending out 'rays' from one place to others, which is why the word describes effects that spread in the body or mind.