lasing
UK[ˈleɪzɪŋ]US[ˈleɪzɪŋ]
adj
Emitting coherent light as in a laser.
v
(present participle). Functioning as a laser; emitting coherent light.
Etymology
The term 'lasing' is a modern scientific back-formation. It originates from the acronym "LASER," coined in 1959, which describes the device and its principle. The verb 'to lase' was created by removing the "-er" suffix (typically an agent or instrument noun) from "laser," treating the remaining "las-" as a verbal stem. By adding the present participle suffix "-ing," the word 'lasing' was formed to describe the active process of emitting coherent light, effectively turning a noun into a verb. This evolution demonstrates a common linguistic process where a complex technological term generates simpler, more flexible grammatical forms.
Analysis
The word is a back-formation from the acronym "LASER" (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation). The suffix "-ing" is added to create a participial adjective and verb form, but the core "las-" is not an independent morpheme in English; it is a clipped form of the acronym.
Examples
The lasing medium in the device was a crystal of ruby.
Researchers observed the material lasing at room temperature for the first time.
Lasing action requires a population inversion between energy levels.