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ultraviolet light

ultraviolet light

10 4.0
A type of light from the sun that you cannot see and that can burn your skin
  • noun
  • /ˌʌltrəˈvaɪəlɪt laɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : luz ultravioleta
  • Exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun can lead to sunburn and skin damage.
  • ultraviolet light irradiation
  • ultraviolet light absorbed
  • far ultraviolet light

For example, ultraviolet light from the sun strikes the surface of Mars.

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Examples

  • The next step is to destroy the egg nucleus with ultraviolet light so that none of its genetic makeup remains.

  • For example, ultraviolet light from the sun strikes the surface of Mars.

  • And that means that they pass ultraviolet light just fine.

  • After he did that, he turned out the lights and put on an ultraviolet light.

  • This photograph was taken using ultraviolet light.

  • Fun fact, humans can't see ultraviolet light, but some other animals can.

  • These are made to block ultraviolet light from getting into a photopolymer tank.

  • Crab shells, however, also reflect ultraviolet light, which the animals can probably detect.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Water will be treated with ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide to control odor and taste.

    Academic text (2007)
  • One of the primary ways in which plastic weathers is that ultraviolet light breaks down its polymer chains and fades its colour.

Synonyms

ultraviolet
vsultraviolet light
  • Specialized
14 5.1

Invisible light with waves shorter than visible light that can cause sunburn

is the same radiation described with emphasis on sunburn effects
ultraviolet ray
vsultraviolet light
  • Specialized
5 3.9

A strong invisible light from the sun that can damage skin and kill germs

is the general radiation term not limited to solar or high energy sources
ultraviolet radiation
vsultraviolet light
  • Specialized
4 4.1

Invisible light from the sun that can burn skin

is the same radiation but presented with common sunburn emphasis
UV
vsultraviolet light
  • Specialized
4.2

Invisible light that can burn or damage skin

is the same concept often noted for causing skin sunburn
ultraviolet illumination
vsultraviolet light
  • Specialized
6.5

Invisible light beyond the violet end of visible light

is the broader radiation concept often defined by wavelength and sunburn risk
actinic ray
vsultraviolet light
  • Specialized
9.9

A type of light, often ultraviolet, that can cause chemical changes

is the general wavelength-based radiation concept focused on sunburn rather than reactions

Surface Forms

Morphology

ultraviolet + light

The meaning is directly compositional: 'ultraviolet' names a region beyond violet in the spectrum and 'light' names electromagnetic radiation, so the phrase straightforwardly denotes that portion of light. This is a common scientific compound with equivalent constructions in many languages, making it predictable for a learner who knows the constituents.

Etymology

Ultraviolet light comes from its parts ultra (meaning 'beyond') and violet (the deep purple color at the end of the rainbow). So the name shows it is light just beyond violet that our eyes cannot see but that can cause sunburn and kill germs.