erase vs zap

erase

verb
  • To kill; assassinate. 

  • To remove a runner from the bases via a double play or pick off play 

  • To obliterate (information) from a storage medium, such as to clear or to overwrite. 

  • To obliterate information from (a storage medium), such as to clear or (with magnetic storage) to demagnetize. 

  • To disregard (a group, an orientation, etc.); to prevent from having an active role in society. 

  • to remove markings or information 

  • To be erased (have markings removed, have information removed, or be cleared of information). 

noun
  • The operation of deleting data. 

zap

verb
  • To kill; to eliminate. 

  • To damage (especially electronics) with electrostatic discharge. 

  • To use a remote control to repeatedly change channels on a television. 

  • To further energize or charge (magnetic material). 

  • To make a zap sound. 

  • To strike (something or someone) with electricity or energy, as by shooting. 

  • To heat (something) in a microwave oven. 

  • To photocopy. 

  • To delete or discard (electronic media). 

intj
  • Representing the sound or action of a zap. 

noun
  • An electric shock. 

  • A sound made by a sudden release of electricity or some similar energy. 

  • The act of heating something in a microwave oven. 

  • A raucous public demonstration designed to embarrass a public figure or celebrity as a form of political activism. 

How often have the words erase and zap occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )