X-ray

Noun

1. Short wavelength electromagnetic radiation usually produced by bombarding a metal target in a vacuum. Used to create images of the internal structure of objects; this is possible because X-rays pass through most objects and can expose photographic film.
2. A radiograph: a photograph made with X-rays.
3. An X-ray machine.
4. A tactical motif where a piece exerts influence or control over a square, piece, or line indirectly through another intervening piece.

Verb

1. (informal, transitive) To take a radiograph of; to obtain an image of using X-ray radiation, especially for the purpose of medical diagnostic evaluation.
2. (transitive) Of a piece, to exert indirect influence, by either attacking, defending, or controlling an opponent's or friendly piece through an intervening piece along a rank, file, or diagonal.

Adj

Of or relating to X-rays.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɛks ɹeɪ/

Etymology

From X + ray, a calque of German X-Strahl, coined by Wilhelm Röntgen upon his discovery of the rays in 1895, where X signifies their unknown nature. The chess sense is metaphorical, referring to control passing through a seemingly solid barrier.

Synonyms

X ray

roentgen ray

roentgenogram

X-ray photograph

x-ray

radiograph

radiography

X-radiation

X-ray picture

radiogram

radiographic

sciagram

sciagraph

X-ray machine

Translations

rayon X

raio X

Röntgenbild

radiografía

rayo X

Röntgenstrahl

radiographie

röntgen

radiografia

radiografia

radiographier

radiografiar

radiografia

röntgenstraal

Röntgenaufnahme