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

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

From BBC

“Our residents should be able to express their rights without being met with rubber bullets or tear gas,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

CS gas - often referred to as "tear gas" - was used as a replacement.

From BBC

Unemployed WWI veterans marched on Washington in 1932 to demand bonuses, only to have their encampments dispersed with tanks and tear gas.

From The Wall Street Journal

She also pressed Bovino about some reported incidents around the city, including the alleged use of tear gas in one neighborhood over the weekend as families made their way to a nearby Halloween parade.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• poison gas