The word "TASER" is commonly misspelled as "tazer" due to its similarity with the word "laser". However, the correct spelling is "TASER" with a single "z". The pronunciation of this word is /ˈteɪzər/ which starts with the "t" sound followed by the "ey" diphthong and ending with the "zuh" sound. "TASER" is actually an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift Electronic Rifle" after a character from a science fiction series, which explains the unusual capitalization.
A "TASER" is a noun that refers to a specific brand of conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) used by law enforcement agencies as a non-lethal means of incapacitating a person. It is also used as a verb to describe the act of utilizing such weapons.
As a noun, a TASER consists of a firearm-like device that propels two small electrically-charged barbs attached to thin wires towards a target, typically within a range of 15 to 30 feet. Upon contact, the barbs penetrate the person's skin or clothing, while the wires deliver high-voltage, low-amperage electric shocks designed to disrupt voluntary muscle control. This results in temporary incapacitation, disabling the target's ability to resist or flee. TASERs are specifically designed to minimize the risk of serious injury or death as compared to conventional firearms.
As a verb, to TASER someone implies the act of employing a TASER device against an individual or testing the functionality of such a weapon.
The term "TASER" is derived from Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle, as TASER devices were initially named after a novel by the author Victor Appleton, depicting a fictional electric gun. However, in vernacular usage, the term "TASER" is often applied generically to any conducted electrical weapon, irrespective of the brand.