word
radiological dispersal
ray-dee-oh-LOJ-ih-kul dis-PER-sul
/ˌreɪdiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl dɪˈspɜːrsəl/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
radiologicaldispersal
Dictionary meaning
The spreading of radioactive material over an area by conventional explosives (a 'dirty bomb') or other means; while not a nuclear explosion, radiological dispersal can contaminate large areas, cause panic, and make zones uninhabitable, posing a significant terrorist threat
History and origin
Radiological from Latin radius (ray) + Greek logos (study); 'dirty bomb' as a colloquial term for a radiological dispersal device
Examples
- Emergency planners distinguish between a nuclear detonation and a radiological dispersal device, which is far easier to construct.
- Cobalt-60, caesium-137, and strontium-90 are among the isotopes considered most dangerous in radiological dispersal scenarios.
Synonyms: radiological dispersal device (RDD), dirty bomb (informal)
Learn one new pronunciation a day
Get a word, name or idiom like “radiological dispersal” in your inbox — daily or weekly, free. Unsubscribe any time.
Something wrong? Suggest a correction