/ Dictionary / Index C characteristic x-ray: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: char'acteris'tic x'-ray Pronunciation: [key] — Physics. Physics. an x-ray that is emitted from an atom when an electron is displaced from an inner shell. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. characteristic velocity characterization Related Content Daily Word Quiz: immense Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language