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Taser
[ tey-zer ]
- Often TASER. a brand name for a gunlike device that uses propelled wires or direct contact to electrically stun and incapacitate a person temporarily.
Taser
/ ˈteɪzə /
noun
- a weapon that fires electrical probes that give an electric shock, causing temporary paralysis
verb
- tr to stun (someone) with a taser
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Example Sentences
One fundamental question that Taser declined to answer: What happens when a federal agency wants access to evidence it is storing?
And the male cop stuns Lollie with his taser, right in front of the man's children.
In the background, there are sounds of the policeman's taser being charged up.
Also banned are Taser use on a pregnant woman, young children, or the elderly, “unless deadly force is justified.”
Others say at issue is the improper and excessive use of the Taser itself.
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About This Word
What is a Taser?
A Taser is an electric weapon that stuns its human or animal target by direct contact or with wired barbs that are shot from the device.
The word Taser is a trademark for a brand, but in common usage it is used to refer to any such device and is often used as a synonym for stun gun. When used this way, it’s usually not capitalized (taser). Sometimes, though, it’s spelled in all capitals (TASER).
Tasers are typically associated with their use by police. Civilians have also adopted such weapons for self-defense.
Where does Taser come from?
Taser was coined in the 1970s by its inventor, Jack Cover, who named it with an acronym based on the 1911 book that partly inspired the weapon: Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle. The A was added to make the acronym pronounceable. (You can read more about the book and the name here.)
The Taser was developed as a gun alternative, and it and similar weapons have become widespread in law enforcement as an alternative way to incapacitate suspects. While the Taser and similar devices have been called a “nonlethal” or “less lethal” alternative to guns, tasing someone can still injure or kill them. For this reason, the use of Tasers by police has been criticized.
An increase in the use of such devices coincided with the appearance of the verb form tase (taser is also sometimes used as a verb). Although the company that owns the Taser trademark objects to any change or differing use of the name, the verb tase has been in popular use since at least the 1990s.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to Taser?
- taser (alternate spelling)
- TASER (alternate spelling)
What are some synonyms for Taser?
What are some words that share a root or word element with Taser?
What are some words that often get used in discussing Taser?
How is Taser used in real life?
Taser is most often used in the context of its use by police or for self-defense.
At least 49 people died in 2018 after being shocked with a Taser by police, according to a @Reuters review of police records, news reports and court documents https://t.co/XSppZsIBuJ pic.twitter.com/UTG4qdMEWJ
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 4, 2019
#OPD 2018 In-Service Training includes Taser recertification requiring curriculum review, a written test and firing two live cartridges into targets. via @OPDOfcAustin pic.twitter.com/fl3vMXTOvm
— Omaha Police Dept (@OmahaPolice) June 11, 2018
House approved SBs 29-30, 93; they allow a person licensed to carry a gun for self-defense to carry a Taser.
— Jase Bolger (@SpeakerBolger) April 19, 2012
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