Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Radiant

Ra′di-ant

(rā′dĭ-ant)
,
Adj.
[L.
radians
,
-antis
, p. pr. of
radiare
to emit rays or beams, fr.
radius
ray: cf. F.
radiant
. See
Radius
,
Ray
a divergent line.]
1.
Emitting or proceeding as from a center; resembling rays; radiating; radiate.
2.
Especially, emitting or darting rays of light or heat; issuing in beams or rays; beaming with brightness; emitting a vivid light or splendor;
as, the
radiant
sun
.
Mark what
radiant
state she spreads.
Milton.
3.
Beaming with vivacity and happiness;
as, a
radiant
face
.
4.
(Her.)
Giving off rays; – said of a bearing;
as, the sun
radiant
; a crown
radiant
.
5.
(Bot.)
Having a raylike appearance, as the large marginal flowers of certain umbelliferous plants; – said also of the cluster which has such marginal flowers.
Radiant energy
(Physics)
,
energy given out or transmitted by radiation, as in the case of light and radiant heat.
–
Radiant heat
,
heat proceeding in right lines, or directly from the heated body, after the manner of light, in distinction from heat conducted or carried by intervening media.
–
Radiant point
.
(Astron.)
See
Radiant
,
Noun.
, 3.

Ra′di-ant

,
Noun.
1.
(Opt.)
The luminous point or object from which light emanates; also, a body radiating light brightly.
2.
(Geom.)
A straight line proceeding from a given point, or fixed pole, about which it is conceived to revolve.
3.
(Astron.)
The point in the heavens at which the apparent paths of shooting stars meet, when traced backward, or whence they appear to radiate.

Webster 1828 Edition


Radiant

RA'DIANT

,
Adj.
Shooting or darting rays of light; beaming with brightness; emitting a vivid light or splendor; as the radiant sun.
Mark what radiant state she spreads.
Radiant in glittering arms and beamy pride.

RA'DIANT

,
Noun.
In optics, the luminous point or object from which light emanates, that falls on a mirror or lens.