[ra.di.al] adj [ML radialis, fr. L radius ray] (1570) 1: arranged or having parts arranged like rays
2. a: relating to, placed like, or moving along a radius b: characterized by divergence from a center
3: of, relating to, or adjacent to a bodily radius "the thumb is on the ~ aspect of the hand"
4: developing uniformly around a central axis "~ cleavage of an egg" -- ra.di.al.ly adv
[2]radial n (1872) 1 a: a radial part b: ray
2: a body part (as an artery) lying near or following the course of the radius
3: a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at approximately 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread--called also radial-ply tire, radial tire