tasers
|ta-ser|
🇺🇸
/ˈteɪzərz/
🇬🇧
/ˈteɪzəz/
(taser)
electroshock weapon
Etymology
'taser' originates from American English, specifically the acronym 'TASER', which stood for 'Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle' (a playful reference to the fictional character Tom Swift).
'TASER' was coined in the mid-20th century (popularized by inventor Jack Cover in the 1970s) based on the earlier book title 'Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle' (1911). The trademark name 'TASER' later became commonized as the generic noun and verb 'taser'.
Initially it referred specifically to a branded device ('TASER'); over time the term broadened to mean any similar electroshock weapon and the act of using such a device.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'taser': handheld electroshock devices (originally a trademark) used to temporarily incapacitate a person by delivering an electric shock.
The officers carried several tasers during the operation.
Synonyms
Verb 1
third-person singular present form of 'taser' (to use a taser on someone; to incapacitate someone with an electroshock device).
He tasers the fleeing suspect to prevent further violence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/25 05:34