radial — ODE · Shobdo

radial /ˈreɪdiəl

▸ adjective

1 of or arranged like rays or the radii of a circle; diverging in lines from a common centre:

four mosaics have a radial arrangement.

▪ (of a road or route) running directly from a town or city centre to an outlying district:

a ring road to which the principal radial roads of London would connect.

▪ (also radial-ply) denoting a tyre in which the layers of fabric have their cords running at right angles to the circumference of the tyre and the tread is strengthened by further layers round the circumference. Compare with cross-ply

2 Anatomy Zoology relating to the radius.

▸ noun

1 a radial tyre.

2 a radial road.

3 Zoology a supporting ray in a fish's fin.

4 a radial engine.

– DERIVATIVES

radially /ˈreɪdiəli

/ adverb

– ORIGIN late 16th century: from medieval Latin radialis, from Latin radius (see radius).