lachrymator

or lac·ri·ma·tor

[ lak-ruh-mey-ter ]

noun

1. a chemical substance that causes the shedding of tears, as tear gas.

lachrymator

/ ˈlækrɪˌmeɪtə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of lacrimator

Word History and Origins

Origin of lachrymator¹

1915–20; < Medieval Latin lacrimātor, equivalent to lacrimā ( re ) to shed tears ( lachrymatory ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Tear gas — a class of chemical weapons formally known as lachrymator agents — can cause severe eye damage, blindness, chemical burns, nerve damage, coughing and even respiratory failure for those with preexisting respiratory conditions.

From Salon

Here the lachrymators and the sternutators, the tear gases and the sneeze gases, came into play.

From Project Gutenberg

Large concentrations of lachrymators begin to affect the lungs and cause sickness, coughing and general irritation.

From Project Gutenberg

Lachrymators.—There is hardly need to dwell on the next class, the lachrymator.

From Project Gutenberg

Mustard gas was the chief example, but some of the lachrymators were just as persistent.

From Project Gutenberg