laser printer

laser printer

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown:

Laser printer

• IPA: /ˈleɪzər ˈprɪntər/

• Syllable Breakdown:

• La-: /leɪ/ (as in "lay")

• -ser: /zər/ (as in "z" in "zebra" followed by "er" in "bird")

• prin-: /prɪn/ (as in "prin" in "print")

• -ter: /tər/ (as in "t" in "tea" followed by "er" in "bird")

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Word Form Variations

The term "laser printer" functions primarily as a compound noun.

• Singular: laser printer

• Plural: laser printers

• No common verb, adjective, or adverb forms directly derived from "laser printer." The individual words "laser" and "printer" have their own variations, but "laser printer" as a single concept does not.

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

Laser printer (noun)

1. An electrophotographic printer that uses a laser beam to project an image onto a rotating photosensitive drum, which then attracts toner particles to form the image. This toner is subsequently transferred to paper and fused by heat and pressure, producing high-quality text and graphics.

• Synonyms: Laserjet (referring to HP's brand, often used generically), toner printer, page printer

• Antonyms: Inkjet printer, dot-matrix printer (as contrasting printer technologies)

2. (Informal) Any machine designed to print documents using dry toner and a laser-based imaging process, commonly found in offices and homes for efficient, high-volume printing.

• Synonyms: Office printer (if contextually appropriate), document printer, monochrome printer (if referring to a black-and-white laser printer)

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a type of device. "Digital display" or "screen" could be contrasting concepts if the focus is on output medium.)

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Examples of Use

Books:

• "The evolution of office technology saw the bulky mimeograph machine replaced first by the photocopier, and then by the efficient laser printer, revolutionizing document production." (From The History of Office Automation, 2018)

• "For high-volume text printing, a laser printer remains the most cost-effective solution due to its low cost per page and fast output speeds." (From Choosing the Right Office Equipment, 2022)

• "Chapter 7 details the inner workings of a laser printer, explaining how toner, fuser, and drum combine to create a crisp image." (From How Computers Work: An Illustrated Guide, 2019)

Newspapers:

• "Local libraries have reported a surge in demand for public access to their laser printers as more residents work from home without personal printing solutions." (The Community Herald, March 10, 2025)

• "A new report suggests that despite the rise of digital documents, sales of home laser printers continue to hold steady among small businesses." (Business Tech Daily, February 28, 2025)

Online Publications:

• "Looking for the best laser printer for your home office? Our guide breaks down the top models for speed, efficiency, and print quality." (PCMag.com, "Best Laser Printers of 2025," April 15, 2025)

• "Troubleshooting: Why is my laser printer leaving streaks on the page? Common causes and fixes explained." (TechSupportGuru.com, "Printer Problems Solved," January 22, 2025)

• "Canon unveiled its latest line of compact color laser printers, aiming to capture a larger share of the small business market." (CNET.com, "New Printer Releases," June 5, 2025)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• TV Shows (Procedural Drama): "The detectives used a forensic analysis of the toner from the printout, confirming it came from an old-model HP laser printer, narrowing down their suspects." (From a fictional crime procedural, e.g., CSI: Cyber)

• YouTube (Tech Reviews): "Today we're unboxing and reviewing the new Brother monochrome laser printer – let's see how fast it prints and how crisp the text is!" (From a popular tech review channel like Unbox Therapy)

• Podcasts (Office Humor/Comedy): "And then the laser printer jammed again, right when I needed to print that urgent report. It's always the last minute!" (From a comedy podcast discussing workplace frustrations)

• Video Games (Simulation Games - rarely): In a business simulation game, a tooltip might state: "Upgrade your office equipment: Research and unlock the laser printer for faster document production." (e.g., Two Point Hospital or Cities: Skylines expansion packs)

General Public Discourse:

• "My old inkjet finally died, so I'm thinking of getting a laser printer for sharper text." (Conversation between colleagues)

• "Do you think I need a color laser printer for home, or is black and white enough?" (Friend asking for advice on electronics)

• "The laser printer in the shared office is always out of toner when I need it most." (Complaint heard in an office breakroom)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Laser Printer

1. "The advent of the laser printer was a quiet revolution for office productivity." (Lesser-known observational quote, reflecting its impact.)

2. "From the clatter of the dot-matrix to the hum of the laser printer, office life became instantly quieter and more efficient." (Original descriptive quote, highlighting technological progression.)

3. "For high-volume, crisp text, nothing beats a good laser printer." (Common sentiment among IT professionals or office managers, reflecting its primary strength.)

4. "The true power of information lies not just in its creation, but in its dissemination – a task greatly accelerated by the laser printer." (Original metaphorical quote, linking technology to information flow.)

5. "A clean sheet from a laser printer often marks the start of a serious endeavor." (Original metaphorical quote, associating it with formal documentation.)

6. "In the digital age, even the most advanced laser printer feels like a nostalgic bridge to the paper world." (Original contemplative quote, on the evolving role of physical print.)

7. "We designed the fuser unit to be the heart of the laser printer, where speed meets precision." (Lesser-known quote, possibly from an engineer involved in printer development.)

8. "When you need speed and consistency, you turn to the laser printer." (Common practical advice in IT or office management.)

9. "The silent revolution of the office began with the copier, but was perfected by the laser printer." (Original historical observation.)

10. "Print quality and speed became accessible to everyone, thanks to the widespread adoption of the laser printer." (Lesser-known quote, highlighting its democratization of quality printing.)

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Etymology

The term "laser printer" is a combination of two words, each with its own origin, that come together to describe the technology.

• "Laser": This is an acronym, meaning it's a word formed from the first letters of other words. "LASER" stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. This scientific term describes a device that produces a highly concentrated, intense beam of light. The concept and early development of lasers began in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

• "Printer": This word comes from the Old French "preindre" and Latin "premere," meaning "to press." Over time, it evolved to refer to a machine that impresses characters or images onto paper or another surface, a meaning it has held for centuries, especially after the invention of the printing press.

So, a "laser printer" is quite literally a "printer that uses a laser."

The first known use of a "laser printer" in a practical sense dates back to 1969, when Xerox researcher Gary Starkweather adapted a Xerox copier to use a laser beam to print images. The initial meaning was exactly that: a machine that used laser technology to create high-quality, fast prints, particularly for text documents. This innovation was a significant leap from earlier printing methods like impact printers, offering quieter operation and much sharper output.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Laser Printer

1. "Feeding the laser printer": A common, literal phrase referring to loading paper into the printer.

2. "The laser printer's hum": (Original phrase) Refers to the characteristic, quiet sound a laser printer makes, often associated with busy office environments.

3. "Churning out pages like a laser printer": (Original metaphorical phrase) Describes someone or something producing a large volume of output quickly and efficiently.

4. "As crisp as a laser printer output": (Original comparative phrase) Used to describe something that is very clear, sharp, or well-defined, referring to the high-quality print of these machines.

5. "The bottleneck at the laser printer": (Lesser-known, situational phrase) Refers to a common office scenario where everyone needs to print at the same time, causing a queue.

6. "Out of toner for the laser printer": A very common, literal complaint or statement in an office or home setting.

7. "Get it on paper" (synonym idiom/phrase): While not using "laser printer" directly, this common phrase implies the act of printing something, often for formality or permanence, which a laser printer excels at.

8. "Printing money" (metaphorical idiom): Colloquially means to be making money very easily and quickly. This can be metaphorically linked to the efficiency and volume capability of a laser printer.

9. "Ink runs dry" (antonym/related idiom): This idiom refers to the end of resources. For an inkjet, it's ink; for a laser printer, it's toner, providing a contrast in a similar context.

10. "A workhorse machine": (Synonym phrase often used for durable, high-performing equipment) A phrase often applied to reliable laser printers that handle heavy workloads.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of laser printer from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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