CS gas

noun

1. a gas causing tears, salivation, and painful breathing, used in civil disturbances; ortho- chlorobenzal malononitrile. Formula: C 6 H 4 ClCH:C(CN) 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of CS gas¹

C20: from the surname initials of its US inventors, Ben Carson and Roger Staughton

Example Sentences

He said that most of the chemical substances used in the attacks had been identified as CS gas, a tear gas most commonly used by riot police to control crowds.

From New York Times

That same day, newspaper front pages were full of reports about the first ever use of CS gas grenades by the police on mainland Britain, as they struggled to contain the Toxteth Riots.

From BBC

Cadets told us that the most challenging tasks they faced were being sealed in a gas chamber, to experience the effects of CS gas, and having to detonate a live grenade.

From BBC

He went on: “It was just littered with weapons and debris, CS gas, residual gas just kind of floating in the air created this mist or haze. It was surreal.”

From New York Times

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler barred the Portland Police Bureau from using CS gas, one kind of the toxic gas, in September 2020 after being criticized by residents about tear gas seeping into their homes.

From Seattle Times