rayon meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

rayon

noun

/ˈɹeɪɒn/

Etymology Name chosen by the National Retail Dry Goods Association of America, probably from French rayon (“a beam of light, ray”) and so called because it is shiny; however, the Oxford English Dictionary states that it is apparently a blend of ray + cotton.

A manufactured regenerated cellulosic fiber.

Derived terms: rayoned

rayon

noun

/reɪˈjɔ̃/ · /rɛˈjɔ̃/

Etymology From Middle French rayon [1539], from Old French rai (whence English ray), from Latin rādius (whence English radius).

Obsolete, Rare A ray or beam of light.

Nor brick, nor marble was the wall in view, But ſhining Chriſtall, which from top to baſe Out of her womb a thouſand rayons threw, […]1591, Joachim du Bellay, “The Visions of Bellay”, in Ed[mund] Sp[enser], transl., Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC, part 2, signature Y3, recto:
The rayons of the Sunne we see, Diminish in their strength.a. 1609, Alex. Hume, Day Estivall, page 177:

1 more example

Here stood A cave,…unreached by rayons of the Sun.1859, Singleton, Virgil, volume II, page 244:

A circular area whose extent is measured by the length of the radius of the circle which bounds it.

Within a rayon of a certain number of miles.1878, Lady Herbert, transl., Hübner’s Ramble, part iii, chapter i, page 459:
I found myself within his rayon at Newcastle, which is one of his bases of supply.1879 May 26th, Daily News, page 5/6:

Related terms: rayonnance, rayonné