laser
Intense light beam
A laser is a device that produces an intense, focused beam of light through stimulated emission of radiation.
The acronym stands for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation," but the word is now fully naturalized.
Lasers appear in everything from surgery and manufacturing to barcode scanners and cat toys.
As a verb, to laser something is to cut, treat, or target it with a laser beam: The surgeon lasered the tissue.
Figuratively, laser describes intense focus: laser focus, laser-sharp precision.
Logically connected throughout
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- monochromaticOf one hue
- emissionDischarged substance or act
amplification · resonator · collimated · infrared · ultraviolet · visible · spectrum · excitation
Programmed illumination entertainment
- concertLive musical performance
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- nightclubEvening entertainment venue
- festivalOrganized public celebration
disco · rave · stage · effects · hologram · planetarium · display · scanning
Invasive medical procedure
- LASIKCorneal vision correction
- ophthalmologyMedical specialty for eyes
- dermatologyStudy of skin ailments
- cosmeticSurface-level appearance enhancer
resurfacing · cauterization · ablation · phototherapy · retinal · cataract · lithotripsy · oncology
Instrument measuring observer-to-target distance
- interferometerInstrument measuring wave interference
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- levelingMaking flat or equal
metrology · calibration · scanning · mapping · distance · topography · spectroscopy · photometer
One-way semiconductor
- pointerReference to memory location
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- fiber-opticLight-carrying cable technology
- solid-stateUsing semiconductors, not tubes
Armed forces collectively
- defenseProtection against harm
- targetingSelecting as objective
- designatorSymbol indicating identity
- guidedLed with assistance
missile · rangefinder · dazzler · blinding · turret · sci-fi · phaser · blaster
Carving into hard surfaces
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- CNCAutomated machining via code
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- kerfIncision from a blade
acrylic · plywood · metalwork · industrial · manufacturing · profiles · patterns · intricate
Directing attention narrowly
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- pinpointLocate with exactness
- intenseExtreme in degree
accurate · penetrating · targeted · unwavering · concentrated · keen · piercing · single-minded
coherent
Logically connected throughout
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- monochromaticOf one hue
emission · amplification · resonator · collimated · infrared · ultraviolet · visible · spectrum · excitation · quantum
lightshow
Programmed illumination entertainment
- concertLive musical performance
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- nightclubEvening entertainment venue
festival · disco · rave · stage · effects · hologram · planetarium · display · scanning · RGB
surgery
Invasive medical procedure
- LASIKCorneal vision correction
- ophthalmologyMedical specialty for eyes
- dermatologyStudy of skin ailments
cosmetic · resurfacing · cauterization · ablation · phototherapy · retinal · cataract · lithotripsy · oncology · scalpel
rangefinder
Instrument measuring observer-to-target distance
- interferometerInstrument measuring wave interference
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
leveling · metrology · calibration · scanning · mapping · distance · topography · spectroscopy · photometer · tracking
diode
One-way semiconductor
- pointerReference to memory location
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- fiber-opticLight-carrying cable technology
solid-state · excimer · rangefinder · module · cavity · output · pulsed
military
Armed forces collectively
- defenseProtection against harm
- targetingSelecting as objective
- designatorSymbol indicating identity
guided · missile · rangefinder · dazzler · blinding · turret · sci-fi · phaser · blaster · ray-gun
engraving
Carving into hard surfaces
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- CNCAutomated machining via code
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
kerf · acrylic · plywood · metalwork · industrial · manufacturing · profiles · patterns · intricate · ablation
focused
Directing attention narrowly
intense · accurate · penetrating · targeted · unwavering · concentrated · keen · piercing · single-minded · exact
- 20th century inventionsTV, radio, television, telephone, airplane
- American InnovationEdison, Thomas Edison, Bell Labs, Silicon Valley, Wright brothers
- bright lightssunlight, glare, flash, flare, spotlight
- Coined Wordschortle, galumph, nerd, robot, quark
- inventionsprinting press, steam engine, lightbulb, light bulb, microscope
- light effectsshine, glow, gleam, shimmer, glitter
laserdiffuse light
Light spread evenly, not direct
scattered light · incandescent light · ambient light · sunlight · candlelight
laserscattershot
Broadly unfocused approach
unfocused · shotgun · blunderbuss · floodlight · buckshot
- laser hair removalLight-based permanent depilation
- laser beamFocused, amplified light emission
- laser tagMock combat with light
- laser gunsWeapons emitting focused light
- laser weaponsWeapons using focused light beams
- laser pointerHandheld focused beam emitter
lasers, laser tag, lasered, lasering, laserdisc, laser beam, laser surgery, laser printer, laser beams