Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
Definitions: Radioactivity |
RadioactivityNoun1. Radiation resulting from radioactive decay. Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
Date "radioactivity" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1985. (references) |
| Domain | Definitions |
Aerospace | 1. Spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei with emission of corpuscular or electromagnetic radiations. The principal types of radioactivity are alpha decay, beta decay, and isomeric transition. To be considered as radioactive a process must have a measurable lifetime between approximately 10E-10 second and approximately 10E17 years. Radiations emitted within a time too short for measurement are called prompt. Prompt radiations such as gamma rays and X-rays are often associated with radioactive disintegrations.2. The number of spontaneous disintegrations per unit mass and per unit time of a given unstable (radioactive) element, usually measured in curies. (references) |
Energy | The spontaneous emission of radiation, generally alpha or beta particles, often accompanied by gamma rays, from the nucleus of an unstable isotope. Also, the rate at which radioactive material emits radiation. Measured in units of becquerels or disintegrations per second. (references) |
Health | The quality of emitting or the emission of corpuscular or electromagnetic radiations consequent to nuclear disintegration, a natural property of all chemical elements of atomic number above 83, and possible of induction in all other known elements. (references) |
Mining | The spontaneous decay or disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus, accompanied by the emission of radiation. See also:radioactive decay. (references) |
Nuclear Energy & Physics | Property of certain nuclides whereby particles or gamma radiation are spontaneously emitted or X-radiation is emitted following orbital electron capture. Source: European Union. (references) |
Public Administration | The spontaneous disintegration of a radionuclide, with the emission of ionizing radiation. Source: European Union. (references) |
Space | Instability of some atomic nuclei, causing them to change spontaneously to a lower energy level or to modify the number of protons and neutrons they contain. The 3 "classical" types of radioactive emissions are (1) alpha particles, nuclei of helium (2) beta-rays, fast electrons and (3) gamma-rays, high-energy photons. (references) |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
An additional radioactive process is nuclear fission, where some elements can split as a result of absorbing an additional neutron. Such unstable, or fissile, isotopes include uranium-235 and plutonium-239. These are the isotopes used in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. When a nucleus splits, there are several decay products including radiation, neutrons, and two new smaller nuclei (usually referred to as fission products).
Radiation is often separated into two categories, ionizing and non-ionizing, to denote the energy and danger of the radiation. Ionization is the process of removing electrons from atoms, leaving two electrically charged particles (ions) behind. Some forms of radiation like visible light, microwaves, or radio waves do not have sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms and hence, are called non-ionizing radiation. The negatively charged electrons and positively charged nuclei created by ionizing radiation may cause damage in living tissue. The term radioactivity generally refers to the release of ionizing radiation.
See also: physics, nuclear physics, nuclear engineering
Radioactivity was first discovered in 1896 by the French scientist Henri Becquerel while working on phosphorescent materials. These materials glow in the dark after exposure to light, and he thought that the glow produced in cathode ray tubes by x-rays might somehow be connected with phosphorescence. So he tried wrapping a photographic plate in black paper and placing various phosphorescent minerals on them. All results were negative until he tried using uranium salts. The result with these compounds was a deep blackening of the plate.
However, it soon became clear that the blackening of the plate had nothing to do with phosphorescence because the plate blackened when the mineral was kept in the dark. Also non-phosphorescent salts of uranium and even metallic uranium blackened the plate. Clearly there was some new form of radiation that could pass through paper that was causing the plate to blacken. [Many books state that Becquerel accidentally discovered radioactivity as though his skill as a scientist had nothing to do with it. In actual fact he was a good scientist who deserves full credit for his work.]
At first it seemed that the new radiation was similar to then recently discovered x-rays. However further research by Becquerel, Madame Curie, Rutherford and others discovered three of the several different types of radioactivity, namely alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. These researchers also discovered that many other chemical elements (or their isotopes) apart from uranium are radioactive. These radioactive isotopes have many important applications, including tracing biological processes in the human body for diagnosis, preserving foods in jars by killing bacteria, and dating of geological deposits based on assumptions of decay rates and isotope ratios at the time of deposit.
The earth and all living things on it are constantly bombarded by radiation from space, similar to a steady drizzle of rain. Charged particles from the sun and stars interact with the earth's atmosphere and magnetic field to produce a shower of radiation, typically beta and gamma radiation. The dose from cosmic radiation varies in different parts of the world due to differences in elevation and the effects of the earth's magnetic field.
Radioactive material is found throughout nature. It occurs naturally in the soil, water, and vegetation. The major isotopes of concern for terrestrial radiation are uranium and the decay products of uranium, such as thorium, radium, and radon. Low levels of uranium, thorium, and their decay products are found everywhere. Some of these materials are ingested with food and water, while others, such as radon, are inhaled. The dose from terrestrial sources varies in different parts of the world. Locations with higher concentrations of uranium and thorium in their soil have higher dose levels.
In addition to the cosmic and terrestrial sources, all people also have radioactive potassium-40, carbon-14, lead-210, and other isotopes inside their bodies from birth. The variation in dose from one person to another is not as great as the variation in dose from cosmic and terrestrial sources.
The average exposure for a person is about 360 millirems/year, 81 percent of which comes from natural sources of radiation. The remaining 19 percent results from exposure to man made radiation sources. By far, the most significant source of man-made radiation exposure to the general public is from medical procedures, such as diagnostic X-rays, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy. Some of the major isotopes are I-131, Tc-99m, Co-60, Ir-192, Cs-137, and others.
In addition, members of the public are exposed to radiation from consumer products, such as tobacco (polonium-210), building materials, combustible fuels (gas, coal, etc.), ophthalmic glass, televisions, luminous watches and dials (tritium), airport X-ray systems, smoke detectors (americium), road construction materials, electron tubes, fluorescent lamp starters, lantern mantles (thorium), etc.
Of lesser magnitude, members of the public are exposed to radiation from the nuclear fuel cycle, which includes the entire sequence from mining and milling of uranium to the disposal of the used (spent) fuel. The substances involved are uranium and its daughter products.
Occupationally exposed individuals are exposed according to their occupations and to the sources with which they work. The exposure of these individuals to radiation is carefully monitored with the use of tiny instruments called dosimeters.
Some of the isotopes of concern are cobalt-60, cesium-137, americium-241, and others. Examples of industries where occupational exposure is a concern include:
We tend to think of biological effects of radiation in terms of their effect on living cells. For low levels of radiation exposure, the biological effects are so small they may not be detected. The body has defense mechanisms against many types of damage induced by radiation as well as by chemical carcinogens. Consequently, biological effects of radiation on living cells may result in three outcomes:
The period of time between radiation exposure and the detection of cancer is known as the latent period. Those cancers that may develop as a result of radiation exposure are indistinguishable from those that occur naturally or as a result of exposure to other chemical carcinogens. Furthermore, National Cancer Institute literature indicates that other chemical and physical hazards and lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet) significantly contribute to many of these same diseases.
Although radiation may cause cancer at high doses and high dose rates, public health data do not unequivocally establish the occurrence of cancer following exposure to low doses and dose rates -- below about 10,000 mrem (100 mSv). Studies of occupational workers exposed to chronic low-levels of radiation above normal background have shown no adverse biological effects. Even so, the radiation protection community conservatively assumes that any amount of radiation may pose some risk for causing cancer and hereditary effect, and that the risk is higher for higher radiation exposures. A linear, no-threshold (LNT) dose response relationship is used to describe the relationship between radiation dose and the occurrence of cancer. This dose-response model suggests that any increase in dose, no matter how small, results in an incremental increase in risk. The LNT hypothesis is accepted by the NRC as a conservative model for estimating radiation risk.
High radiation doses tend to kill cells, while low doses tend to damage or alter the genetic code (DNA) of irradiated cells. High doses can kill so many cells that tissues and organs are damaged immediately. This in turn may cause a rapid whole body response often called Acute Radiation Syndrome. The higher the radiation dose, the sooner the effects of radiation will appear, and the higher the probability of death. This syndrome was observed in many atomic bomb survivors in 1945 and emergency workers responding to the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. Approximately 134 plant workers and firefighters battling the fire at the Chernobyl power plant received high radiation doses (70,000 to 1,340,000 mrem or 700 to 13,400 mSv) and suffered from acute radiation sickness. Of these, 28 died from their radiation injuries.
Although exposure to ionizing radiation carries a risk, it is impossible to completely avoid exposure. Radiation has always been present in the environment and in our bodies. We can, however, avoid undue exposure.
There is a range of simple, sensitive instruments capable of detecting minute amounts of radiation from natural and man-made sources. Radiation is very easily detected. In addition, there are four ways in which we can protect ourselves:
Time: For people who are exposed to radiation in addition to natural background radiation, limiting or minimizing the exposure time will reduce the dose from the radiation source.
Distance: In the same way that the heat from a fire is less intense the further away you are, so the intensity of the radiation decreases the further you are form the source of the radiation. The dose decreases dramatically as you increase your distance from the source.
Shielding: Barriers of lead, concrete, or water give good protection from penetrating radiation such as gamma rays and neutrons. This is why certain radioactive materials are stored or handled under water or by remote control in rooms constructed of thick concrete or lined with lead. There are special plastic shields which stop beta particles and air will stop alpha particles. Inserting the proper shield between you and the radiation source will greatly reduce or eliminate the extra radiation dose.
Containment: Radioactive materials are confined in the smallest possible space and kept out of the environment. Radioactive isotopes for medical use, for example, are dispensed in closed handling facilities, while nuclear reactors operate within closed systems with multiple barriers which keep the radioactive materials contained. Rooms have a reduced air pressure so that any leaks occur into the room and not out of it.
Natural and artificial radiations are not different in any kind or effect. Above the background level of radiation exposure, the NRC requires that its licensees limit maximum radiation exposure to individual members of the public to 100 mrem (1 mSv) per year, and limit occupational radiation exposure to adults working with radioactive material to 5,000 mrem (50 mSv) per year.
The amount of radioactivity in a given sample of radioisotope is expressed by the new SI unit, the becquerel (Bq). The old unit was the curie (Ci). One becquerel of a radioisotope is the exact quantity that produces one disintegration per second. The curie is 3.7 x 1010 Bq disintegrations per second. Thus 1 Bq = 2.7 x 10-11 Ci and 1 Ci = 3.7 x 1010 Bq. As the becquerel is as inconveniently small for many uses as the curie was inconveniently large, prefixes such as micro (µ) (10-6), milli (m) (10-3), kilo (k) (103), and so on are routinely used. Following nuclear detonations, the amounts of radioactive material produced are very large and the terms petabecquerel (PBq) (1015 Bq) and exabecquerel (EBq) (1018 Bq) may be used. The term megacurie (MCi) (106 Ci) used to be used.
See Also
History
Sources of Radiation
Natural Background Radiation
Man-Made Radiation Sources
The Effects of Radiation on People
The associations between radiation exposure and the development of cancer are mostly based on populations exposed to relatively high levels of ionizing radiation (e.g., Japanese atomic bomb survivors, and recipients of selected diagnostic or therapeutic medical procedures). Cancers associated with high dose exposure include leukemia, breast, bladder, colon, liver, lung, esophagus, ovarian, multiple myeloma, and stomach cancers. Department of Health and Human Services literature also suggests a possible association between ionizing radiation exposure and prostate, nasal cavity/sinuses, pharyngeal and laryngeal, and pancreatic cancer. Minimizing Exposure to Radiation
Measuring Radiation
References
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Radioactivity."
Synonym: RadioactivitySynonym: activity (n). (additional references) |
| Synonyms by domain: radio-activity (post & telecompublic administrationpublic administrationnuclear energy & physics, physicsnuclear energy & physics, meteorology & standards). |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Calefaction | Cauterizer; caustic, lunar caustic, alkali, apozem, moxa; acid, aqua fortis, aqua regia; catheretic, nitric acid, nitrochloro-hydric acid, nitromuriatic acid; radioactivity, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta rays, X-rays, radiation, cosmic radiation, background radiation, radioactive isotopes, tritium, uranium, plutonium, radon, radium. |
Measurement | Bathometer, galvanometer, heliometer, interferometer, odometer, ombrometer, pantometer, pluviometer, pneumatometer, pneumometer, radiometer, refractometer, respirometer, rheometer, spirometer, telemeter, udometer, vacuometer, variometer, viameter, thermometer, thermistor (heat), barometer (air), anemometer (wind), dynamometer, goniometer (angle) meter; landmark; (limit); balance, scale; (weight); marigraph, pneumatograph, stethograph; rain gauge, rain gage; voltmeter(volts), ammeter(amps); spectrophotometer (light absorbance); mass spectrophotometer(molecular mass); geiger counter, scintillation counter(radioactivity); pycnometer (liquid density); graduated cylinder, volumetric flask (volume); radar gun (velocity); radar (distance); side-looking radar (shape, topography); sonar (depth in water); light meter (light intensity); clock, watch, stopwatch, chronometer (time); anemometer (wind velocity); densitometer (color intensity). |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
| Domain | Title |
Books |
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Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Thumbnail | Description & Credit |  | ... plastic phantoms filled with sodium chloride solution are used for measuring radioactivity. / Health Physics photo.Credit: National Library of Medicine. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Play | Caption | Play | Caption |
 | Electricity; voltage; volts; power; AC; DC; current; electromagneticism; electron; galvanism; heat; hot stuff; ignition; juice; light; magneticism; neutron; positron; proton; radioactivity; service; spark; tension; utilities; energy; kilowatts. | | Electricity; voltage; volts; power; AC; DC; current; electromagneticism; electron; galvanism; heat; hot stuff; ignition; juice; light; magneticism; neutron; positron; proton; radioactivity; service; spark; tension; utilities; energy; kilowatts. |
| Electricity; voltage; volts; power; AC; DC; current; electromagneticism; electron; galvanism; heat; hot stuff; ignition; juice; light; magneticism; neutron; positron; proton; radioactivity; service; spark; tension; utilities; energy; kilowatts. | ||
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Subject | Topic | Quote |
Health | There is no radioactivity left in the body after the treatment. (references) | |
Two days after the injection, the body is scanned for radioactivity. (references) | ||
No events have been documented in this country that led to exposure of the population at large to radioactivity. (references) | ||
Trade | Bangladesh | The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission tests all imported food items to ensure that the prescribed standard for radioactivity is maintained. (references) |
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits. | ||
| "Radioactivity" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 100.00% of the time. "Radioactivity" is used about 237 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Noun (singular) | 100% | 237 | 19,467 |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
Expressions using "radioactivity": minimum residual radioactivity weapon ♦ radioactivity concentration guide ♦ radioactivity unit. Additional references. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. |
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Expression | Frequency per Day |
radioactivity | 112 |
radioactivity detector | 6 |
radioactivity use | 5 |
nuclear radioactivity | 4 |
radioactivity symbol | 4 |
radioactivity testing | 3 |
discovery radioactivity | 3 |
radioactivity health | 3 |
danger nuclear radioactivity | 3 |
device dispersal radioactivity | 3 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Language | Translations for "radioactivity"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | |
Albanian | radioaktivitet. (various references) | |
Arabic | الفاعلية الإشعاعية, النشاط الإشعاعي. (various references) | |
Bulgarian | радиоактивност. (various references) | |
Chinese | "射线 (Radio-activity). (various references) | |
Czech | radioaktivita. (various references) | |
Danish | radioaktivitet. (various references) | |
Dutch | radioactiviteit. (various references) | |
Finnish | radioaktiivisuus. (various references) | |
French | radioactivité. (various references) | |
German | Radioaktivität. (various references) | |
Greek | ραδιενέργεια (activity, disintegration rate, radiation), ραδιοενέργεια, ακτινενέργεια. (various references) | |
Hungarian | radioaktivitás. (various references) | |
Italian | radioattivit (radioacitivity). (various references) | |
Japanese Kanji | "射能 . (various references) | |
Japanese Katakana | ほうしゃのう. (various references) | |
Korean | 방사능 (Radio-activity). (various references) | |
Pig Latin | adioactivityray.(various references) | |
Portuguese | radioactividade. (various references) | |
Romanian | radioactivitate (radio-activity). (various references) | |
Russian | радиоактивность (radio-activity). (various references) | |
Serbo-Croatian | radioaktivnost. (various references) | |
Spanish | radioactividad (radium). (various references) | |
Swedish | radioaktivitet (radiation). (various references) | |
Ukranian | радіоактивність. (various references) | |
Vietnamese | tính phóng xạ (activity), năng lực phóng xạ. (various references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references. | ||
| # of Phoneme Matches | Pronunciation | Word(s) rhyming with "radioactivity" (pronounced rā"dēōakti"vutē or rā'dēōakti"vutē) |
| 9 | -ō a k t i" v u t ē | retroactivity. |
| 8 | -a k t i" v u t ē | activity, hyperactivity, inactivity. |
| 7 | -k t i" v u t ē | conductivity, connectivity, objectivity, productivity, reactivity, selectivity, subjectivity, superconductivity. |
| 6 | -t i" v u t ē | captivity, creativity, festivity, insensitivity, nativity, negativity, oversensitivity, receptivity, relativity, sensitivity. |
| 5 | -i" v u t ē | aggressivity, exclusivity, expressivity, passivity, proclivity, progressivity, reflexivity. |
| 4 | -v u t ē | brevity, cavity, depravity, gravity, hypersensitivity, levity, longevity, velvety. |
| 3 | -u t ē | ability, abnormality, absurdity, acceptability, accessibility, accountability, acidity, actuality, acuity, adaptability, admissibility, adversity, advisability, affinity, affordability, agility, alacrity, alkalinity, ambiguity, amenity, amiability, amity, analyticity, animosity, annuity, anonymity, antiquity, anxiety, applicability, atrocity, audacity, austerity, authenticity, authority, availability, banality, barbarity, believability, bestiality, biodiversity, bisexuality, brutality, calamity, capability, capacity, causality, celebrity, centrality, charity, chastity, civility, clarity, collegiality, commodity, commonality, community, comparability, compatibility, complexity, complicity, comprehensibility, conditionality, confidentiality, conformity, congeniality, congruity, constitutionality, continuity, convertibility, credibility, credulity, criminality, criticality, crotchety, culpability, curiosity, cyclicality, debility, deductibility, deformity, deity, deniability, density, dependability, deputy, desirability, dexterity, dignity, dimensionality, disability, discontinuity, disparity, dissimilarity, disunity, diversity, divinity, docility, domesticity, duality, ductility, duplicity, durability, eccentricity, elasticity, electability, electricity, eligibility, enforceability, enmity, enormity, entity, equality, equanimity, equity, eternity, ethnicity, eventuality, extraterritoriality, extremity, facility, fallibility, falsity, familiarity, fatality, feasibility, Felicity, femininity, ferocity, fertility, fidelity, finality, flammability, flexibility, fluidity, formality, fragility, fraternity, frivolity, frugality, functionality, futility, generality, generosity, geniality, gentility, gratuity, gullibility, heredity, heterogeneity, heterosexuality, hilarity, homogeneity, homosexuality, hospitality, hostility, humanity, humidity, humility, identity, illegality, illiquidity, immaturity, immobility, immorality, immortality, immunity, impartiality, impersonality, impossibility, impropriety, impunity, impurity, inability, inaccessibility, incapacity, incivility, incompatibility, incongruity, incredulity, indemnity, indestructibility, indignity, individuality, inequality, inequity, inevitability, infallibility, inferiority, infertility, infidelity, infinity, infirmity, inflexibility, informality, ingenuity, inhumanity, insanity, insecurity, instability, instrumentality, insularity, integrity, intensity, invincibility, invisibility, invulnerability, irrationality, irregularity, irresponsibility, irritability, laity, laxity, legality, legibility, lethality, liability, liberality, liquidity, lividity, locality, majority, malleability, maneuverability, marketability, masculinity, materiality, maternity, maturity, mediocrity, mendacity, mentality, minority, miscibility, mobility, modality, modernity, monstrosity, morality, morbidity, mortality, motility, multiplicity, municipality, musicality, mutuality, nationality, necessity, neutrality, nobility, Nonconformity, nonentity, nonutility, normality, notoriety, nudity, obesity, obscenity, obscurity, oddity, opacity, opportunity, originality, overcapacity, palatability, parity, partiality, particularity, paternity, paucity, peculiarity, permeability, perpetuity, perplexity, personality, perversity, piety, plausibility, plurality, polarity, polity, pomposity, popularity, portability, possibility, posterity, practicality, predictability, principality, priority, probability, probity, profanity, profitability, promiscuity, propensity, proportionality, propriety, prosperity, proximity, publicity, punctuality, purity, quality, quantity, rapidity, rarity, rationality, readability, reality, reciprocity, regularity, reliability, religiosity, respectability, responsibility, rickety, rigidity, salinity, sanctity, sanity, scarcity, seasonality, security, senility, seniority, sensibility, sensuality, sentimentality, serendipity, serenity, severity, sexuality, similarity, simplicity, sincerity, sobriety, society, solemnity, solidarity, solidity, sorority, speciality, specificity, spirituality, spontaneity, stability, sterility, stupidity, suitability, superfluidity, superiority, supermajority, surety, survivability, susceptibility, sustainability, technicality, temerity, tenacity, theatricality, timidity, tonality, totality, toxicity, tranquility, transferability, Trinity, triviality, turbidity, ubiquity, unanimity, unavailability, unfamiliarity, uniformity, unity, universality, university, unpopularity, unpredictability, unreality, unreliability, uppity, utility, validity, vanity, variability, variety, varsity, velocity, venality, veracity, Verity, versatility, viability, vicinity, virginity, virility, virtuosity, viscosity, visibility, vitality, volatility, voracity, vulgarity, vulnerability. |
| 9 | -ō a k t i" v u t ē | retroactivity. |
| 8 | -a k t i" v u t ē | activity, hyperactivity, inactivity. |
| 7 | -k t i" v u t ē | conductivity, connectivity, objectivity, productivity, reactivity, selectivity, subjectivity, superconductivity. |
| 6 | -t i" v u t ē | captivity, creativity, festivity, insensitivity, nativity, negativity, oversensitivity, receptivity, relativity, sensitivity. |
| 5 | -i" v u t ē | aggressivity, exclusivity, expressivity, passivity, proclivity, progressivity, reflexivity. |
| 4 | -v u t ē | brevity, cavity, depravity, gravity, hypersensitivity, levity, longevity, velvety. |
| 3 | -u t ē | ability, abnormality, absurdity, acceptability, accessibility, accountability, acidity, actuality, acuity, adaptability, admissibility, adversity, advisability, affinity, affordability, agility, alacrity, alkalinity, ambiguity, amenity, amiability, amity, analyticity, animosity, annuity, anonymity, antiquity, anxiety, applicability, atrocity, audacity, austerity, authenticity, authority, availability, banality, barbarity, believability, bestiality, biodiversity, bisexuality, brutality, calamity, capability, capacity, causality, celebrity, centrality, charity, chastity, civility, clarity, collegiality, commodity, commonality, community, comparability, compatibility, complexity, complicity, comprehensibility, conditionality, confidentiality, conformity, congeniality, congruity, constitutionality, continuity, convertibility, credibility, credulity, criminality, criticality, crotchety, culpability, curiosity, cyclicality, debility, deductibility, deformity, deity, deniability, density, dependability, deputy, desirability, dexterity, dignity, dimensionality, disability, discontinuity, disparity, dissimilarity, disunity, diversity, divinity, docility, domesticity, duality, ductility, duplicity, durability, eccentricity, elasticity, electability, electricity, eligibility, enforceability, enmity, enormity, entity, equality, equanimity, equity, eternity, ethnicity, eventuality, extraterritoriality, extremity, facility, fallibility, falsity, familiarity, fatality, feasibility, Felicity, femininity, ferocity, fertility, fidelity, finality, flammability, flexibility, fluidity, formality, fragility, fraternity, frivolity, frugality, functionality, futility, generality, generosity, geniality, gentility, gratuity, gullibility, heredity, heterogeneity, heterosexuality, hilarity, homogeneity, homosexuality, hospitality, hostility, humanity, humidity, humility, identity, illegality, illiquidity, immaturity, immobility, immorality, immortality, immunity, impartiality, impersonality, impossibility, impropriety, impunity, impurity, inability, inaccessibility, incapacity, incivility, incompatibility, incongruity, incredulity, indemnity, indestructibility, indignity, individuality, inequality, inequity, inevitability, infallibility, inferiority, infertility, infidelity, infinity, infirmity, inflexibility, informality, ingenuity, inhumanity, insanity, insecurity, instability, instrumentality, insularity, integrity, intensity, invincibility, invisibility, invulnerability, irrationality, irregularity, irresponsibility, irritability, laity, laxity, legality, legibility, lethality, liability, liberality, liquidity, lividity, locality, majority, malleability, maneuverability, marketability, masculinity, materiality, maternity, maturity, mediocrity, mendacity, mentality, minority, miscibility, mobility, modality, modernity, monstrosity, morality, morbidity, mortality, motility, multiplicity, municipality, musicality, mutuality, nationality, necessity, neutrality, nobility, Nonconformity, nonentity, nonutility, normality, notoriety, nudity, obesity, obscenity, obscurity, oddity, opacity, opportunity, originality, overcapacity, palatability, parity, partiality, particularity, paternity, paucity, peculiarity, permeability, perpetuity, perplexity, personality, perversity, piety, plausibility, plurality, polarity, polity, pomposity, popularity, portability, possibility, posterity, practicality, predictability, principality, priority, probability, probity, profanity, profitability, promiscuity, propensity, proportionality, propriety, prosperity, proximity, publicity, punctuality, purity, quality, quantity, rapidity, rarity, rationality, readability, reality, reciprocity, regularity, reliability, religiosity, respectability, responsibility, rickety, rigidity, salinity, sanctity, sanity, scarcity, seasonality, security, senility, seniority, sensibility, sensuality, sentimentality, serendipity, serenity, severity, sexuality, similarity, simplicity, sincerity, sobriety, society, solemnity, solidarity, solidity, sorority, speciality, specificity, spirituality, spontaneity, stability, sterility, stupidity, suitability, superfluidity, superiority, supermajority, surety, survivability, susceptibility, sustainability, technicality, temerity, tenacity, theatricality, timidity, tonality, totality, toxicity, tranquility, transferability, Trinity, triviality, turbidity, ubiquity, unanimity, unavailability, unfamiliarity, uniformity, unity, universality, university, unpopularity, unpredictability, unreality, unreliability, uppity, utility, validity, vanity, variability, variety, varsity, velocity, venality, veracity, Verity, versatility, viability, vicinity, virginity, virility, virtuosity, viscosity, visibility, vitality, volatility, voracity, vulgarity, vulnerability. |
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits. | ||
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "a-a-c-d-i-i-i-o-r-t-t-v-y" | |
-4 letters: activator, vorticity. | |
-5 letters: acridity, activity, atrocity, caryatid, cavitary, citatory, dictator, dioritic, victoria, viridity, vitiator, voracity. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
Hexadecimal (or equivalents, 770AD-1900s) (references)52 61 64 69 6F 61 63 74 69 76 69 74 79 |
| Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519; backwards) (references)
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| American Sign Language (origins from 1620-1817 in Italy and, especially, France) (references)
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| Semaphore (1791, in France) (references)
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| Braille (1829, in France) (references)
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Morse Code (1836) (references).-. .- -.. .. --- .- -.-. - .. ...- .. - -.--. |
| Dancing Men (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1903) (references)
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Binary Code (1918-1938, probably earlier) (references)01010010 01100001 01100100 01101001 01101111 01100001 01100011 01110100 01101001 01110110 01101001 01110100 01111001 |
HTML Code (1990) (references)R a d i o a c t i v i t y |
ISO 10646 (1991-1993) (references)0052 0061 0064 0069 006F 0061 0063 0074 0069 0076 0069 0074 0079 |
| British Sign Language (Fingerspelling, BSL; 1992, British Deaf Association Dictionary of British Sign Language) (references)
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Encryption (beginner's substitution cypher): (references)52677075816769867588758691 |
| 1. Definition 2. Synonyms 3. Crosswords 4. Usage: Commercial | 5. Images: Photo Album 6. Sounds 7. Quotations: Non-fiction 8. Usage Frequency | 9. Expressions 10. Expressions: Internet 11. Translations: Modern 12. Rhymes | 13. Anagrams 14. Orthography 15. Bibliography |
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