radial meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

radial

adj

/ˈɹeɪdi.əl/

Etymology From Medieval Latin radiālis (“radial”), from Latin radius. By surface analysis, radius + -al.

7 senses

1Arranged like rays that radiate from, or converge to, a…
2Of, or relating to a radius (line joining to a geometric centre).
3Moving or acting along a radius.
4Of, or relating to the radius bone.
5Of, or relating to the radius (vein), and/or the wing…
6Developing uniformly on all sides.
7Having reinforcing cords placed in parallel across the…

Arranged like rays that radiate from, or converge to, a common centre.

The spokes on most modern bicycle wheels are tangential to the hub rather than radial.
A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.2012 March 23, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, pages 112–3:

Geometry, Mathematics, Sciences Of, or relating to a radius (line joining to a geometric centre).

What is the relationship between arc length and radial length?

Geometry, Mathematics, Sciences Moving or acting along a radius.

radial velocity

Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences Of, or relating to the radius bone.

Biology, Entomology, Natural sciences Of, or relating to the radius (vein), and/or the wing areas next to it.

Biology, Botany, Natural sciences Developing uniformly on all sides.

Of a vehicle tyre Having reinforcing cords placed in parallel across the tyre at 90 degrees to the direction of travel, especially as contrasted with cross-ply; see also radial tyre.

Derived terms: 67 terms
brachioradial, circumradial, corradial, cubitoradial, dorsoradial, equiradial, hexaradial, humeroradial, hyperradial, interradial, isoradial, multiradial, nonradial, octoradial, orthoradial, pentaradial, perradial, quadriradial, radial arm maze, radial arm saw, radial artery, radial basis function, radial bearing, radial bone, radial button, radial canal, radial chromatography, radial cleavage, radial collateral artery, radial curve, radial displacement, radial distribution function, radial embedding, radial engine, radial gate, radial glial cell, radial growth phase, radial index artery, radial integral, radialise, radiality, radialization, radialize, radial keratotomy, radial line, radial menu, radialmost, radial nerve, radial-ply tire, radial-ply tyre, radial point, radial saw, radial shaft seal, radial shield, radial symmetry, radial tire, radial tyre, radial tunnel syndrome, radial vein, radial velocity, scapuloradial, semiradial, tetraradial, transradial, triradial, ulnoradial, uniradial

radial

noun

Etymology From Medieval Latin radiālis (“radial”), from Latin radius. By surface analysis, radius + -al.

An item in a radial configuration, such as a spoke of a wheel.

In particular One of a set of earthing wires arranged radially around the base of a wireless antenna.

A radial tire / radial tyre.

Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won't say anything. Just leave us alone.1976, Paddy Chayefsky, Network, spoken by Howard Beele (Peter Finch):