radial

views updated May 29 2018

ra·di·al / ˈrādēəl/ • adj. 1. of or arranged like rays or the radii of a circle; diverging in lines from a common center. ∎  (or a road or route) running directly from a town or city center to an outlying district. ∎  denoting a tire in which the layers of fabric have their cords running at right angles to the circumference of the tire and the tread is strengthened by further layers around the circumference. Compare with bias-ply. ∎  denoting an internal combustion engine with its cylinders fixed like the spokes of a wheel around a rotating crankshaft (a type used chiefly in aircraft).2. Anat. & Zool. of or relating to the radius.• n. 1. a radial tire.2. a radial road.3. Zool. a supporting ray in a fish's fin.4. a radial engine.DERIVATIVES: ra·di·al·ly adv.

radial

views updated May 21 2018

radial (ray-di-ăl) adj. relating to or associated with the radius. r. artery a branch of the brachial artery, beginning at the elbow and passing down the forearm, around the wrist, and into the palm of the hand. r. nerve an important mixed sensory and motor nerve of the arm, forming the largest branch of the brachial plexus. r. reflex flexion of the forearm (and sometimes also of the fingers) that occurs when the lower end of the radius is tapped.

radial

views updated Jun 11 2018

radial XVI. — medL. radiālis, f. RADIUS (cf. RAY1); see -AL1.