'irradiation' definitions:

Definition of 'irradiation'

From: WordNet
noun
The condition of being exposed to radiation
noun
A column of light (as from a beacon) [syn: beam, beam of light, light beam, ray, ray of light, shaft, shaft of light, irradiation]
noun
(physiology) the spread of sensory neural impulses in the cortex
noun
The apparent enlargement of a bright object when viewed against a dark background
noun
(Pavolvian conditioning) the elicitation of a conditioned response by stimulation similar but not identical to the original stimulus
noun
(medicine) the treatment of disease (especially cancer) by exposure to a radioactive substance [syn: radiotherapy, radiation therapy, radiation, actinotherapy, irradiation]

Definition of 'irradiation'

From: GCIDE
  • irradiation \ir*ra`di*a"tion\ ([i^]r*r[=a]`d[i^]*[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [Cf. F. irradiation.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. Act of irradiating, or state of being irradiated; as, irradiation of foods with X-rays can preserve their freshness by killing the bacteria that cause spoilage . [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • 2. Illumination; irradiance; brilliancy. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Fig.: Mental light or illumination. --Sir M. Hale. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Opt.) The apparent enlargement of a bright object seen upon a dark ground, due to the fact that the portions of the retina around the image are stimulated by the intense light; as when a dark spot on a white ground appears smaller, or a white spot on a dark ground larger, than it really is, esp. when a little out of focus. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'irradiation'

From: Moby Thesaurus