laserdisc
UK[ˈleɪzə dɪsk]US[ˈleɪzər dɪsk]
n
a disk similar in size to a vinyl record on which movies or other material are recorded in an analog optical format for playback on a laserdisc player.
Morpheme Breakdown
laser
disc
laser
disc
Etymology
the term is a compound word formed in the late 20th century. the first element, 'laser', is a mid-20th century acronym describing a device that emits coherent light, which is the technology used to read the data. the second element, 'disc', derives from latin 'discus' via old english, referring to its round, flat physical form. the word literally means "a disk read by laser," directly describing its technological principle and physical medium. it represents a specific historical format in the evolution of optical data storage, bridging vinyl records and later digital discs like dvds.
Analysis
Structure: laser + disc
laser (acronym from Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation; functions as a modifier). disc (from latin 'discus', meaning a flat circular object; functions as the base noun).
Examples
the museum's archive includes several classic films on now-obsolete laserdisc.
before the dvd became ubiquitous, some enthusiasts preferred the analog picture quality of a laserdisc.
the large, cumbersome laserdisc was a precursor to more compact digital media.