radioactive
adjective
- emitting ionizing radiation
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌɹeɪdiəʊˈaktɪv/ / /ˌɹeɪdioʊˈæktɪv/
adj
Etymology: Coined by Pierre Curie and Marie Curie in 1898 as French radio-actif, equivalent to English radio- + active.
- Exhibiting radioactivity.
“As a matter of fact many of our best drinking waters have all sorts of unspecified qualities. Burton water, for example, is radioactive by Beetham's standards up to the ninth degree.”
“Today, no one would intentionally smear radioactive materials on their face, but in 1933, the dangers of radioactivity were not yet fully understood.”
- Dangerous and disgusting, particularly of people or ideas.
“Even sleazy tactics and his radioactive mouth may not be able to contain this debacle.”
“It was as though he was possessed of an invisible aura repelling incoming bodies. ‘Look. No one wants to be associated with him now. He’s become radioactive.’”
noun
Etymology: Coined by Pierre Curie and Marie Curie in 1898 as French radio-actif, equivalent to English radio- + active.
- Any radioactive substance.
“Any ship nearby will receive a lethal dose of gamma rays, neutrons, and other radioactives.”