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actinic

actinic

1 9.9
Light that causes chemical changes in materials, for example damaging photographic film
  • adjective
  • /ækˈtɪnɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : actínico
  • The pellicle must be thin, usually less than 1 micrometer, so that its transmission is determined by thin-film interference effects and is maximized at the actinic wavelength.
  • actinic keratosis
  • actinic light

Examples

  • Unblocked by ozone, actinic radiation spalled them; wind sanded them; sometimes a large meteorite smote them.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Jason's face floated across from her on a tide of actinic flashes.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • A bright, actinic kind of...

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The actinic moonlight illuminates the entire beach down to the breakers.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • These pellicles must satisfy a number of critical requirements, primarily transmission at the actinic wavelength and damage resistance to laser irradiation.

    Academic text (2001)
  • But there were heavy gusts of wind that threatened to knock me off the lines, and the transformer outside the widow's house was burning a fierce actinic blue.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Chronic sun exposure with actinic damage, exposure to arsenic, HPV infection, and internal malignancy have been associated with Bowen's disease.

    Academic text (2007)
  • As the Titans' actinic light flickered off Chrysla's hull, she turned her nose toward the dusty albedo of the Itreatic Belt.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Before he realized what was happening, Safira was bearing him to the ground, her close-cropped hair made a halo by the actinic bolt passing just beyond it—the bolt which had been aimed at his own skull.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The actinic rays from the sun can cause significant changes in skin cells, leading to various skin conditions.

Synonyms

photoinduced
vsactinic
  • Specialized
7.4

Happens when light causes a chemical or material change

is specific to ultraviolet wavelengths rather than light in general
photoactive
vsactinic
  • Specialized
6.7

A material that changes when light hits it

focuses on radiation itself rather than the reacting material

Compounds

actinic keratosis
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by long sun exposure that can become skin cancer

actinic dermatitis
  • Specialized
9.3

Red, sore skin that appears after too much sun

actinic ray
  • Specialized
9.9

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

actinic radiation
  • Specialized
8.6

Light that causes chemical changes in materials, such as ultraviolet or visible light

Surface Forms

actinic positive

Morphology

actinic = actin (opaque) = actin + ic

The root 'actin' as a combining form meaning 'ray' is not a familiar standalone word for most learners, so adding '-ic' does not yield an immediately obvious meaning.

Etymology

Actinic comes from the Greek root aktis meaning 'ray'. It describes light rays (especially ultraviolet) that make chemical changes, so actinic means light that can cause reactions.