From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishX-rayX-ray1 /ˈeks reɪ/ ●●○ noun [countable] 1 MHa beam of radiation(1) that can go through solid objects and is used for photographing the inside of the body2 MHa photograph of part of someone’s body, taken using X-rays to see if anything is wrong The X-ray showed that her leg was not broken.3 MHa medical examination made using X-rays → radiography I had to go to hospital for an X-ray. a chest X-ray
Examples from the Corpus
X-ray• Kemp was taken to the hospital for X-rays of his arm.• However, X-ray analysis has shown that all these forms of carbon consist of small graphite-like crystals.• We'll have to take some X-rays to make sure there are no broken bones.• All Jason needs now is another set of braces as well as special X-rays to track his progress.• They may include blood tests, X-rays or scans.• And unlike X-rays and other sorts of scanning there is no surgery or radiation.• When X-rays were taken there sure enough was a needle.X-rayX-ray2 verb [transitive] MHto photograph the inside of someone’s body using X-rays The problem was only discovered when her lungs were X-rayed.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
X-ray• All bags are X-rayed before being put on the planes.• Jack went to his doctor, who X-rayed the toe.Origin X-ray1 (1800-1900) Translation of German X-strahl, X representing “unknown” 