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radioactivity

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: radio-activity

English

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The usual warning symbol for radioactivity.

Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From radioactive +‎ -ity or radio- +‎ activity.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˌreɪdɪəʊakˈtɪvɪti/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Noun

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radioactivity (usually uncountable, plural radioactivities)

  1. Spontaneous emission of ionizing radiation as a consequence of a nuclear reaction, or directly from the breakdown of an unstable nucleus.
    • 2020 March 8, Jacopo Prisco, “When beauty products were radioactive”, in CNN[1]:
      Today, no one would intentionally smear radioactive materials on their face, but in 1933, the dangers of radioactivity were not yet fully understood.
  2. The radiation so emitted; including gamma rays, alpha particles, neutrons, electrons, positrons, etc.

Hyponyms

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(types of radioactive decay):

Derived terms

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Units of radioactivity:

Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also

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Further reading

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