tear-gas

¹ American  

[teer-gas] / ˈtɪərˌgæs /

verb (used with object)

tear-gassed, tear-gassing

1. to subject to tear gas.

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tear gas ² American  

[teer] / tɪər /

noun

1. a gas that makes the eyes smart and water, thus producing a temporary blindness, used in modern warfare, to quell riots, etc.

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tear gas British  

/ tɪə /

noun

1. Also called: lacrimator.  any one of a number of gases or vapours that make the eyes smart and water, causing temporary blindness; usually dispersed from grenades and used in warfare and to control riots

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Etymology

Origin of tear-gas¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Origin of tear gas¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

The Lagos State government says it is unaware of their personnel using tear gas or of deaths linked to the demolitions.

From BBC

First, security forces fired tear gas at the protesters, she said.

From BBC

Federal authorities deployed tear gas and made some arrests.

From The Wall Street Journal

It added that the claim that tear gas was deliberately fired into the hospital "does not correspond to the facts".

From Barron's

"When the police started firing tear gas, I was with Fatty," the former lawmaker Lee recalled.

From BBC

Related Words

• poison gas