Raise and rays are two words that are pronounced in the same manner, but are spelled differently and have different mrniangs. They are homophones. We will examine the definitions of raise and rays, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.
Raise, when used as a verb, means 1.) to lift to a higher point 2.) to set in a vertical position 3.) to build a structure 4.) to increase 5.) to promote 6.)to bring to the surface 7.) to provoke, to suggest for consideration 8.) to rear children or grow crops or animals 9.) to make bread dough lighter with the addition of yeast 10.) in poker, to increase the amount bet 11.) in curling, to push a stone to the tee by way of another stone. Related verbs are raises, raised and raising. Used as a noun, a raise refers to an increased amount of a poker bet, or in the United States, increased pay at a job. The related adjective is raisable, the related noun is raiser.
Rays is the plural form of the word ray, which means a sunbeam, the line along which heat, light or magnetism or radiation may travel. The word ray is derived from the Latin word radius which means rod or staff.
Examples
Two months ago, Cynthia Sanders got a raise at her janitorial job, from $8.30 to $10 per hour, after St. Louis passed a law raising its minimum wage. (The Huffington Post)
He decided to expand his “Stop, I Count” campaign in June to help the Food Bank, hoping to raise $250,000. (The Baltimore Sun)
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ultraviolet rays are an invisible form of radiation that comes from the sun, sunlamps and tanning beds. (The Franklin News Post)