pepper spray
31
3.5
- noun
- /ˈpɛpər spreɪ/
:
spray de pimienta
- Many college students carry pepper spray for protection while walking alone at night.
- use pepper spray
- pepper spray canister
- carry pepper spray
So we tried to go to the courts to find out who she was because she was caught with a pepper spray when she returned.
- So we tried to go to the courts to find out who she was because she was caught with a pepper spray when she returned.
Examples
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The man demanded cash and sprayed the teller with chemicals believed to be pepper spray, investigators said.
Blog text (24) -
I carry a little pepper spray with me for any nasty surprises around the ATM, but that's all.
Blog text (17) -
Will I be safe or will I need my pepper spray?
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You can put down the pepper spray.
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This here is pepper spray, and we will use it.
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When the pepper spray hits your face, and it will, keep your mouth closed tight.
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I'll pull out my pepper spray and hold it to my side.
Blog text (19) -
I'm about to get out my pepper spray.
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You know most people around here don't carry pepper spray.
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Police issue pepper spray.
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is directly compositional: 'pepper' + 'spray' denotes a spray made from or containing pepper, so a learner who knows both words can infer it is an aerosol product related to pepper. While specific technical details (e.g., capsaicin content or nonlethal status) may require exposure, the general function—an incapacitating or deterrent spray—is transparently derivable and cross-linguistically familiar.
Etymology
Pepper spray comes from the literal idea of a spray made with hot pepper that makes a person's eyes burn and makes them cry. Because it can make someone 'temporarily blind' and unable to fight, it is used to 'stop attackers' or 'deter animals'.