The x-ray scanner
Example: X-ray scanner inspects luggage for prohibited items
Definition
"The x-ray scanner" is a device used in air travel to inspect luggage and other items by passing x-rays through them, allowing security personnel to detect prohibited or dangerous objects without opening the bags.
Etymology
The term "x-ray scanner" combines "x-ray," named after the unknown (hence 'X') rays discovered by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895, with "scanner," indicating a device that systematically examines something. Did you know the 'X' in 'x-ray' originally stood for 'unknown'? This term was adopted into aviation security to describe machines that scan luggage quickly and effectively.
Learn to use this word actively
"The x-ray scanner" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Air travel & Aviation - (A1-C2) - set 1", containing 110 commonly used words.
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