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cosmic ray
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noun Physics.
a radiation of high penetrating power that originates in outer space and consists partly of high-energy atomic nuclei.
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of cosmic ray
An Americanism dating back to 1920–25
Words nearby cosmic ray
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use cosmic ray in a sentence
Scientific definitions for cosmic ray
cosmic ray
A ray of radiation of extraterrestrial origin, consisting of one or more charged particles such as protons, alpha particles, and larger atomic nuclei. Cosmic rays entering the atmosphere collide with atoms, producing secondary radiation, such as pions, muons, electrons, and gamma rays. Cosmic rays (and secondary radiation) can be easily seen in a cloud chamber.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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