WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Arthur Compton
    n 1: United States physicist noted for research on x-rays and
         gamma rays and nuclear energy; his observation that X-rays
         behave like miniature bowling balls in their interactions
         with electrons provided evidence for the quantal nature of
         light (1892-1962) [syn: Compton, Arthur Compton,
         Arthur Holly Compton]