from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Irradiate \Ir*ra"di*ate\ ([i^]r*r[=a]"d[i^]*[=a]t), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. {Irradiated} ([i^]r*r[=a]"d[i^]*[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Irradiating} ([i^]r*r[=a]"d[i^]*[=a]`t[i^]ng).] [L.
irradiatus, p. p. of irradiate. See {In-} in, and {Radiate}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. To throw rays of light upon; to illuminate; to brighten;
to adorn with luster.
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Thy smile irradiates yon blue fields. --Sir W.
Jones.
[1913 Webster]
2. To enlighten intellectually; to illuminate; as, to
irradiate the mind. --Bp. Bull.
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3. To animate by heat or light. --Sir M. Hale.
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4. To radiate, shed, or diffuse.
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A splendid fa[,c]ade, . . . irradiating hospitality.
--H. James.
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5. To expose to radiation of any kind, especially {ionizing
radiation}; as, to sterilize food by irradiating it with
gamma rays; one can cause mutations in bacteria by
irradiating them with ultraviolet light.
[PJC]