A device that shoots or throws something forcefully, or a gun (especially in science fiction), or something that breaks rocks with explosives.
From 'blast' (an explosion or strong wind) + '-er' (one who does). The word emerged in American English in the 19th century for mining explosives, later adopted by sci-fi writers.
The term 'blaster' became iconic in Star Wars, but real laser weapons exist now—the U.S. Navy tested the Tactical Laser System that can disable boats from miles away, making sci-fi blasters almost real.
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