noun
zapper
ZAP-ur/ˈzæpər/
A device that uses an electric shock or beam to kill or disable something.
The zapper kills flying insects that touch its electric grid.
Etymology
Zap imitates the imagined sound of a science-fiction ray weapon and became a verb meaning “kill.” Zapper probably names an electrical insect-killer as a thing that performs that action.
In context
This is just after one night of using this solar bug zapper.
More examples
- Unplug the zapper before cleaning out the dead bugs.
- These handheld zappers run on batteries.
- In the game, her zapper disables robots with an electric beam.
Forms
zapper · zappers
zap verb — To kill or disable with electricity.
Similar words
- bug zapper
- Specifically kills flying insects with an electrically charged grid.
- stun gun
- Specifically disables a person with an electric shock.