lightsaber
/ˈlaɪtˌseɪ.bə(ɹ)/
lightsaber means A sword having a blade made of a powerful beam of light or energy. It carries an Arena rating of 1443, earned across 15 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, lightsaber ranks #107 of 17,127 for Most Vivid Words, #145 of 17,127 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #1,769 of 17,140 for Most Whimsical Words, #3,469 of 17,124 for Most Sublime Words.
lightsaber is pronounced /ˈlaɪtˌseɪ.bə(ɹ)/.
Why “lightsaber” is a great word
A fictional sword whose blade consists of a powerful, focused beam of light or energy. From 'light' (visible electromagnetic radiation) + 'saber' (a type of sword). Coined by filmmaker George Lucas for the 1977 film Star Wars (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope). Unlike a traditional saber—a curved, physical cavalry weapon—or a utilitarian plasma cutter, the lightsaber is governed by the logic of myth: weightless, eternal, humming with purpose. It is the snap-hiss of ignition in a darkened corridor, the hum of resonant power held at rest, and the impossible, clean severance of a durasteel door—a technology so advanced it has circled back to being sacred.
Etymology
From light + saber; coined by American filmmaker and philanthropist George Lucas for the Star Wars film franchise. First mentioned in the film Star Wars (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope) which was released on May 25, 1977.
noun
- A sword having a blade made of a powerful beam of light or energy.e.g.“[Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker] Your father's lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” — 1977 May 25, George Lucas, Star Wars, spoken by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness):
- A real-world toy, prop, or device fashioned after the fictional lightsaber.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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