Phaser
/ˈfeɪ.zər/noun
A device or weapon that emits a beam or pulse, especially in science fiction.
Did you know?Phaser comes from the same Greek root behind words like phase and phenomenon, all tied to something that appears or shows itself in stages.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
phaínō
“to bring to light, make appear”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phásis
“a showing, appearance; phase”
Late Latin
Latin
phasis
“appearance, phase”
19th Century
English
phase
“a distinct stage in a process or cycle”
20th Century
English
phaser
“a fictional weapon or device operating by phases or pulses”
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