lacrimator
C2formal, technical, academic
Definition
Meaning
A substance or chemical agent that causes tears, mainly used as an irritant.
In a broader or metaphorical sense, something (e.g., a sad film, poignant music) that causes a person to cry or feel emotional tears, though this usage is rare.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical term from chemistry, toxicology, and security/military contexts. While it shares a Latin root with 'lacrimal' (relating to tears), it is not a medical term for a body part but denotes an active irritant agent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. The more common term in both variants is 'tear gas'.
Connotations
Both carry the same formal/technical connotation. In everyday language, 'tear gas' is vastly preferred.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties. 'Lacrimator' is found almost exclusively in specialized texts, while 'tear gas' is the standard term in news reports, general discourse, and legal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [SUBSTANCE] is a powerful lacrimator.Authorities deployed a lacrimator to disperse the crowd.Exposure to the lacrimator caused severe irritation.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a technical term not used idiomatically.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in contexts of manufacturing or trading in riot control equipment or chemical safety.
Academic
Used in chemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, and security studies papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. 'Tear gas' is the universal term.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in technical specifications, chemical hazard sheets, and military/police manuals.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The compound can lacrimate at very low concentrations.
- The police were authorised to lacrimate the area.
American English
- The chemical lacrimates upon contact with moisture.
- Protesters feared the police would lacrimate the square.
adverb
British English
- The gas acted lacrimatorily, disabling the occupants.
American English
- The agent dispersed lacrimatorily, forcing everyone to retreat.
adjective
British English
- The lacrimatory effect was immediate.
- They studied the agent's lacrimator properties.
American English
- The lacrimatory compound was identified.
- Exhibiting strong lacrimator effects, the substance was restricted.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Tear gas is a type of lacrimator.
- The police used a lacrimator during the riot.
- CS gas is a potent synthetic lacrimator used for crowd control.
- The safety data sheet warned that the chemical was a severe eye lacrimator.
- The treaty restricted the use of certain lacrimators in warfare, classifying them as chemical weapons under specific conditions.
- Researchers compared the efficacy and toxicity profiles of novel lacrimators with traditional chloroacetophenone-based agents.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LACRIMA' (Latin for tear) + 'TOR' (like 'generator'). It's a 'tear-generator'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CHEMICAL IS A WEAPON; IRRITATION IS AN ATTACK (on the senses).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лакриматор' (a potential false friend/cognate with identical meaning but low frequency in Russian). The more common Russian term is 'слезоточивый газ'.
- Do not translate as 'плакальщик' (a mourner) – that is 'lamenter'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'lachrymator' (an accepted variant but less common).
- Using it in everyday conversation where 'tear gas' is expected, which sounds overly technical and pedantic.
- Pronouncing the 'c' as /s/ instead of /k/.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'lacrimator' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'lacrimator' is the formal, technical term for what is commonly called 'tear gas'. However, 'tear gas' is the term used in everyday language and most media reports.
In British English: /ˈlæk.rɪˌmeɪ.tər/. In American English: /ˈlæk.rəˌmeɪ.t̬ɚ/. The first syllable rhymes with 'back', and the 'c' is pronounced as a /k/.
Yes, but it is very rare. The verb forms 'lacrimate' or 'lacrimatory' are technical derivations meaning 'to cause tears' or 'having the quality of causing tears'.
You would primarily encounter 'lacrimator' in highly technical, scientific, legal, or academic writing. Knowing it helps with reading comprehension in those specialized fields.