actinic
/ækˈtɪn ɪk/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 1.88 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Related to radiation; used most often in reference to light, especially in the ultraviolet range.
adj
Harsh and bright, especially blindingly so.
adj
Caused by extensive exposure to ultraviolet light.
adj
Of or relating to actinism, the range of photochemical effects produced by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, particularly sunlight.
Example Sentences
- "He bounded over cresting waves that shone in the actinic glare."
- "And what actinic, mind-wrenching form could the countermeme take? How could human hands assemble something so devastatingly powerful and hold it steady; what human mind could wield it without exploding from the inside out?"
- "In medicine, actinic keratoses usually occur in sundamaged skin and exhibit hyperkeratosis."
- "It should be borne in mind that the actinic power of the sun is subject to considerable variations, due to its elevation above the horizon."
- "I got my picture, and it turned out quite a good one, despite the rather poor light which at that time of day, 7 p.m., was lacking in actinic value."
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἀκτίς, ἀκτῖν- (aktís, aktîn-, “ray”) + -ic.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Chemistry.