ultraviolet

[uhl-truh-vahy-uh-lit] /ˌʌl trəˈvaɪ ə lɪt/
adjective
1.
beyond the violet in the spectrum, corresponding to light having wavelengths shorter than 4000 angstrom units.
2.
pertaining to, producing, or utilizing light having such wavelengths:
an ultraviolet lamp.
noun
3.
ultraviolet radiation.
Compare infrared.
Origin
1870-75; ultra- + violet
Examples from the web for ultraviolet
  • Let deck dry for two days before applying a clear wood preservative with mildewcides and ultraviolet-light inhibitors.
  • Because of that old museum curator's bugaboo: ultraviolet light.
  • Birds see ultraviolet markings on flowers, signs invisible to us.
  • ultraviolet intensity depends on the angle of the sun, not its heat or brightness.
  • Some scientists believe exposure to ultraviolet light may cause various forms of eye damage.
  • Sunburn is from over-exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
  • The increased color may be due to aging, exposure to the sun or other forms of ultraviolet light, or other unknown causes.
  • Most skin cancers occur on skin that is regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation.
  • Starling plumage reflects quite a lot of ultraviolet-as can be seen in photographs taken using special ultraviolet-sensitive film.
  • Solar cells prefer visible, or even ultraviolet radiation.
British Dictionary definitions for ultraviolet

ultraviolet

/ˌʌltrəˈvaɪəlɪt/
noun
1.
the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than light but longer than X-rays; in the range 0.4 × 10–6 and 1 × 10–8 metres
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or consisting of radiation lying in the ultraviolet: ultraviolet radiation, UV
Word Origin and History for ultraviolet

"beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum," 1840, from ultra- + violet. Ultra-red (1870) was a former name for what now is called infra-red.

ultraviolet in Medicine

ultraviolet ul·tra·vi·o·let (ŭl'trə-vī'ə-lĭt)
adj.
Abbr. UV, U.V.
Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380 nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum. n.
Ultraviolet light or the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.

ultraviolet in Science
ultraviolet
  (ŭl'trə-vī'ə-lĭt)   
Adjective  Relating to electromagnetic radiation having frequencies higher than those of visible light but lower than those of x-rays, approximately 1015-1016 hertz. Some animals, such as bees, are capable of seeing ultraviolet radiation invisible to the human eye. See more at electromagnetic spectrum.

Noun  Ultraviolet light or the ultraviolet part of the spectrum. See Note at infrared.