Teargassing: meaning, definitions and examples
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teargassing
[ ˈtɪərˌɡæsɪŋ ]
crowd control
Teargassing refers to the act of using chemical agents, specifically tear gas, to disperse crowds or manage disturbances. Tear gas is often employed by law enforcement to control riots, protests, or situations where large groups of people may pose a threat to public safety. The gas causes temporary blindness, choking, and irritation of the respiratory system, which can create panic and lead individuals to flee the area. While it's seen as a non-lethal method for managing crowds, the use of tear gas has been debated due to its potential health risks, particularly in enclosed areas or for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Synonyms
dispersing, gassing, scattering.
Examples of usage
- The police resorted to teargassing the protesters after the situation escalated.
- Teargassing has become a controversial tactic during many recent demonstrations.
- The government defended its teargassing measures as necessary for public safety.
Translations
Translations of the word "teargassing" in other languages:
🇵🇹 uso de gás lacrimogêneo
🇮🇳 आंसू गैस का उपयोग
🇩🇪 Einsatz von Tränengas
🇮🇩 penggunaan gas air mata
🇺🇦 використання сльозогінного газу
🇵🇱 użycie gazu łzawiącego
🇯🇵 催涙ガスの使用
🇫🇷 utilisation de gaz lacrymogène
🇪🇸 uso de gas lacrimógeno
🇹🇷 gözyaşı gazı kullanımı
🇰🇷 최루가스 사용
🇸🇦 استخدام الغاز المسيل للدموع
🇨🇿 použití slzného plynu
🇸🇰 použitie slzotvorného plynu
🇨🇳 使用催泪瓦斯
🇸🇮 uporaba solzivca
🇮🇸 notkun táragass
🇰🇿 жылау газын қолдану
🇬🇪 ცრემლიანი გაზის გამოყენება
🇦🇿 gözyaşı qazının istifadəsi
🇲🇽 uso de gas lacrimógeno
Etymology
The term 'teargassing' derives from the use of tear gases such as CS gas, which was first developed in the early 1920s. Its original purpose was military, designed to incapacitate enemy troops by causing temporary blindness and respiratory distress. Over time, these substances transitioned to police and crowd control applications. The term combines 'tear,' which signifies the tear-inducing effect of the gas, and 'gassing,' which refers to the method of dispersion. As civil unrest and protests escalated in the mid-20th century, the use of teargas by law enforcement began to proliferate across the globe. Its controversial use has been subject to legal and ethical scrutiny over the decades, particularly regarding human rights violations and the long-term health effects suffered by individuals exposed to such agents.