Rayon

//ˈɹeɪɒn// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname from Spanish.
Noun
  1. 1
    A manufactured regenerated cellulosic fiber. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    A ray or beam of light. obsolete, rare

    "Nor brick, nor marble was the wall in view, But ſhining Chriſtall, which from top to baſe Out of her womb a thouſand rayons threw, […]"

  3. 3
    Alternative spelling of raion. alt-of, alternative
  4. 4
    a synthetic silklike fabric wordnet
  5. 5
    A circular area whose extent is measured by the length of the radius of the circle which bounds it.

    "Within a rayon of a certain number of miles."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Name chosen by the National Retail Dry Goods Association of America, probably from French rayon (“a beam of light, ray”) and so called because it is shiny; however, the Oxford English Dictionary states that it is apparently a blend of ray + cotton.

Etymology 2

From Middle French rayon [1539], from Old French rai (whence English ray), from Latin rādius (whence English radius).

Etymology 3

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Etymology 4

Anglicization of Spanish Rayón.

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