ray1
  
  n.
      - each of the lines in which light seems to stream from the sun or any luminous body, or pass through a small opening. 
▸the straight line in which light or other electromagnetic radiation travels to a given point.
 ▸
(
rays)
 a specified form of non-luminous radiation:
 ultraviolet rays.
  ▸
(rays)
 informal, chiefly N. Amer. sunlight considered in the context of sunbathing.
 - an initial or slight indication of a positive or welcome quality:
 a ray of hope.
 - Mathematics  any of a set of straight lines passing through one point.
 - Botany  any of the individual strap-shaped florets around the edge of the flower of a daisy or related plant.
 - Zoology  each of the long slender bony supports in the fins of most bony fishes.
 - Zoology  each radial arm of a starfish.
 
v.
  - spread from or as if from a central point.
 - literary radiate (light).
 
 
  Phrase
  
    
      - ray of sunshine
 informal a person who brings happiness to others. 
    
   
  Derivative
  
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. rai, based on L. radius ‘spoke, ray’.
 
  
    
ray2
  
  n.
 a broad flat cartilaginous fish with wing-like pectoral fins and a long slender tail. 
[Order Batiformes: many species.]
 
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. raie, from L. raia.
 
  
    
ray3
  
  n.
 Music  (in tonic sol-fa) the second note of a major scale. 
▸the note D in the fixed-doh system.
 
  Etymology
  ME re, representing (as an arbitrary name for the note) the first syllable of resonare, taken from a Latin hymn.