autoclave
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1au·to·clave
noun \ˈȯ-tō-ˌklāv\Definition of AUTOCLAVE
: an apparatus in which special conditions (as high or low pressure or temperature) can be established for a variety of applications; especially : an apparatus (as for sterilizing) using steam under high pressure
See Origin of AUTOCLAVE
French, from aut- + Latin clavis key — more at clavicle
First Known Use: 1876
Rhymes with AUTOCLAVE
2autoclave
transitive verbautoclavedautoclav·ing
Definition of AUTOCLAVE
: to treat in an autoclave
First Known Use of AUTOCLAVE
1911
autoclave
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Vessel, usually of steel, able to withstand high temperatures and pressures. The chemical industry uses various types of autoclaves in manufacturing dyes and in other chemical reactions requiring high pressures. In bacteriology and medicine, instruments, equipment, supplies, and culture media are sterilized by superheated steam in an autoclave. In 1679 Denis Papin (1647–c. 1712) invented a prototype known as a steam digester; still used in cooking, it is now called a pressure cooker.
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