lachrymatory

English

Etymology

From Latin type *lacrimatorius, from lacrimare.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlækɹɪmətəɹi/

Adjective

lachrymatory (comparative more lachrymatory, superlative most lachrymatory)

1. Pertaining to or causing tears.
   • 1919: It is sheer affectation to lacerate a man with the poisonous fragment of a bursting shell and to boggle at making his eyes water by means of lachrymatory gas. — Winston Churchill, "1919 War Office Memorandum"

Noun

lachrymatory (plural lachrymatories)

1. A vase intended to hold tears, formerly used by archaeologists to designate certain urns found in Roman burials.
   • 1658: For beside these Lachrymatories, notable Lamps with Vessels of Oyles and Aromaticall Liquors attended noble Ossuaries. — Sir Thomas Browne, Urne-Burial (Penguin 2005, p. 21)