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radiative

[rey-dee-ey-tiv]
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adjective
  1. giving off radiation.
Also ra·di·a·to·ry [rey-dee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈreɪ di əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/.

Origin of radiative

First recorded in 1830–40; radiat(ion) + -ive
Related formsnon·ra·di·a·tive, adjectivesub·ra·di·a·tive, adjectiveun·ra·di·a·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for radiative

Historical Examples

  • It may be connected with the radiative intensity of the star, or its age, or both.

    Astronomy

    David Todd

  • Equally important is the inquiry into the mechanism of radiative equilibrium in sun and stars.

    Astronomy

    David Todd

  • For more complex molecules the radiative and absorptive powers are known to be much greater.

  • Its evolution is not in one continuous line, but is radiative from one common centre, and is dispersive.

  • Both surfaces appear to be metallic; what, then, is the cause of the observed difference in their radiative power?

British Dictionary definitions for radiative

radiative

radiatory (ˈreɪdɪətərɪ, -trɪ)

adjective
  1. physics emitting or causing the emission of radiationa radiative collision
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for radiative

adj.

"having a tendency to radiate," 1820, from radiate (v.) + -ive. Related: Radiativity.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper