Columbia Encyclopedia

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stingray

(Encyclopedia)stingray: see ray.

whipray

(Encyclopedia)whipray: see ray.

mermaid's purse

(Encyclopedia)mermaid's purse: see ray.

torpedo , in zoology

(Encyclopedia)torpedo, fish: see ray.

skate

(Encyclopedia)skate, fish: see ray.

fluoroscope

(Encyclopedia)fluoroscope flo͝orˈəskōp [key], instrument consisting of an X-ray machine (see X ray) and a fluorescent screen that may be used by physicians to view the internal organs of the body. During medica...

refraction

(Encyclopedia)refraction, in physics, deflection of a wave on passing obliquely from one transparent medium into a second medium in which its speed is different, as the passage of a light ray from air into glass. O...

Willughby, Francis

(Encyclopedia)Willughby, Francis wĭlˈəbē [key], 1635–72, English naturalist. He is known especially for his early systematic work on birds and fishes, in which he made some of the most important contributions...

Delany, Samuel R.

(Encyclopedia)Delany, Samuel R. (Samuel Ray Delany, Jr.), 1942–, African-American wrtier, b. Harlem, New York City. Delany uses science fiction, fantasy, and memoir to explore sexual identity, race, language, and...

devilfish

(Encyclopedia)devilfish, name applied to the manta ray and to an American species of octopus. ...