iron lung
- a chamberlike respirator, formerly used in the treatment of poliomyelitis, that encloses the whole body except the head and in which alternate pulsations of high and low pressure induce normal breathing movements or force air into and out of the lungs.
Origin of iron lung
First recorded in 1930–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
iron lung
- an airtight metal cylinder enclosing the entire body up to the neck and providing artificial respiration when the respiratory muscles are paralysed, as by poliomyelitis
- Irish informal a gas container used in dispensing beer
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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iron lung
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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