laser-disc
UK[ˈleɪzə dɪsk]US[ˈleɪzər dɪsk]
n
A type of optical disc storage medium, the precursor to the DVD, for storing and playing video and audio.
Morpheme Breakdown
laser
disc
laser
acronym
disc
object
Etymology
The term is a compound noun formed in the late 20th century. The first element, "laser," is a technological acronym describing the coherent light source used to read the data. The second element, "disc," has a long history tracing back to Greek diskos (a circular throwing object) and Latin discus, evolving to denote any flat, circular plate. The combination "laser-disc" thus logically names a storage medium: a circular plate read by laser light. It represents a specific technological iteration in the evolution of optical media, bridging vinyl records and modern digital discs.
Analysis
Structure: laser (acronym) + disc (object)
laser: An English acronym (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation), functioning as a modifier.
disc: From Latin discus (a circular plate, quoit), via Old English disc and French disque, functioning as the base noun.
Examples
The museum's archive included several classic films on obsolete laser-disc.
Before streaming services, enthusiasts prized the high-quality analog video of laser-discs.
The player failed to read the scratched surface of the laser-disc.