Word of the Day ·
radioactivity
/ˌreɪdɪəʊakˈtɪvɪti/
noun
What it means
- uncountableusuallySpontaneous emission of ionizing radiation as a consequence of a nuclear reaction, or directly from the breakdown of an unstable nucleus.
Today, no one would intentionally smear radioactive materials on their face, but in 1933, the dangers of radioactivity were not yet fully understood.
2020 March 8, Jacopo Prisco, “When beauty products were radioactive”, in CNN - uncountableusuallyThe radiation so emitted; including gamma rays, alpha particles, neutrons, electrons, positrons, etc.
In a sentence
Today, no one would intentionally smear radioactive materials on their face, but in 1933, the dangers of radioactivity were not yet fully understood.
2020 March 8, Jacopo Prisco, “When beauty products were radioactive”, in CNN
Where it comes from
From radioactive + -ity or radio- + activity.
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