lachrymator

Or lac·ri·ma·tor

[lak-ruh-mey-ter]

noun

1. a chemical substance that causes the shedding of tears, as tear gas.

lachrymator

/ ˈlækrɪˌmeɪtə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of lacrimator

Word History and Origins

Origin of lachrymator¹

1915–20; < Medieval Latin lacrimātor, equivalent to lacrimā ( re ) to shed tears ( lachrymatory ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Tear gas — a class of chemical weapons formally known as lachrymator agents — can cause severe eye damage, blindness, chemical burns, nerve damage, coughing and even respiratory failure for those with preexisting respiratory conditions.

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Here the lachrymators and the sternutators, the tear gases and the sneeze gases, came into play.

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Large concentrations of lachrymators begin to affect the lungs and cause sickness, coughing and general irritation.

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Lachrymators.—There is hardly need to dwell on the next class, the lachrymator.

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Mustard gas was the chief example, but some of the lachrymators were just as persistent.

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