actinic, a.
(ækˈtɪnɪk)
[f. Gr. ἀκτῖν- ray + -ic.]
Of or pertaining to actinism.
| 1844 Sir J. Herschel Brit. Assoc. Report 13 While the actinic influence is still fresh upon the face (i.e. as soon as it is removed from the light). 1845 Pen. Cycl. I. 167/2 A beam of solar light is made up of three distinct sets of rays—the luminous, the calorific, and the chemical or actinic rays. 1859 Bentley's Q. Rev. No. 3, 157 The actinic force, or that of the violet end of the spectrum, quickens germination much more than the luminous. 1870 Proctor Other Worlds x. 246 Besides light and heat, the stars emit actinic rays. 1871 H. Macmillan True Vine 124 We produce photographs by a power in the sunbeam called the chemical, or actinic power. 1874 Hartwig Aer. World vi. 68 These ultra violet, actinic, or Ritterian rays, as they have been named, after their discoverer Ritter. |