Defn: Any of the rays produced when cathode rays strike upon surface of a solid (as the wall of the vacuum tube). Röntgen rays are noted for their penetration of many opaque substances, as wood and flesh, their action on photographic plates, and their fluorescent effects. They were called X rays by their discoverer, W. K. Röntgen. They also ionize gases, but cannot be reflected, or polarized, or deflected by a magnetic field. They are regarded as nonperiodic, transverse pulses in the ether. They are used in examining opaque objects, as for locating fractures or bullets in the human body.
ROOD
Rood, n. Etym: [AS. rr, D. roede rod, G. ruthe, rute, OHG. ruota. CF.
Rod a measure.]
1. A representation in sculpture or in painting of the cross with Christ hanging on it.
Note: Generally, the Trinity is represented, the Father as an elderly man fully clothed, with a nimbus around his head, and holding the cross on which the Son is represented as crucified, the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove near the Son's head. Figures of the Virgin Mary and of St. John are often placed near the principal figures. Savior, in thine image seen Bleeding on that precious rood. Wordsworth.
2. A measure of five and a half yards in length; a red; a perch; a pole. [Prov.Eng.]
3. The fourth part of an acre, or forty square rods. By the rood, by the cross; — a phrase formerly used in swearing. "No, by the road, not so." Shak. — Rood beam (Arch.), a beam across the chancel of a church, supporting the road. — Rood loft (Arch.), a loft or gallery, in a church, on which the rood and its appendagess were set up to view. Gwilt. — Rood screen (Arch.), a screen, between the choir and the body of the church, over which the rood was placed. Fairholt. — Rood tower (Arch.), a tower at the intersection of the nave and transept of a church; — when crowned with a spire it was called also rood steeple. Weale. — Rood tree, the cross. [Obs.] "Died upon the rood tree." Gower.
ROODEBOK
Roo"de*bok, n. Etym: [D. rood red + bok buck.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The pallah.
ROODY
Rood"y, a.
Defn: Rank in growth. [Prov.Eng.]