Definition of "lase" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To use a laser beam on, as for cutting.

   • The surgeon lased the elongated soft palate, cutting off the excess tissue and stopping the blood flow in one swipe.
   • The physical chemist lased the atoms as they passed between the electrodes to study their motion.
   • When a laser zaps an electron orbiting a proton, the electron undergoes what is called the Lamb shift, absorbing energy and jumping to a higher energy level. […] But instead of lasing electrons, Knowles examined protons with particles called muons, which he calls "the electron's fat cousin."

2. (transitive) To use a laser beam on, as for targeting or rangefinding.

   • The commander lased the target across the valley.

3. (intransitive) To operate as a laser; to release coherent light due to stimulation.

   • Once enough of the gas particles are in a higher energy state, they will begin to lase and give off a coherent beam.
   • Charles Townes' comments that it turned out to be easy to make the first laser and that anything will lase if you hit it hard enough are incredible statements to me. If it was so easy, why didn't Columbia, Bell Labs, or TRG pull it off? They each had a head start, plenty of money, and heavy staffing.