aeolipile

or ae·ol·i·pyle, e·ol·i·pile

[ ee-ol-uh-pahyl ]

noun

1. a round vessel caused to rotate by the force of tangentially escaping steam: an early example of jet propulsion.
2. a device for injecting the vapors of heated alcohol into a laboratory furnace.

aeolipile

/ iːˈɒlɪˌpaɪl /

noun

1. a device illustrating the reactive forces of a gas jet: usually a spherical vessel mounted so as to rotate and equipped with angled exit pipes from which steam within it escapes

Word History and Origins

Origin of aeolipile¹

1650–60; < Latin aeolīpilae balls of Aeolus, alteration of aeolīpylae gates of Aeolus, equivalent to Aeolī (genitive singular of Aeolus ) + pylae, plural of pyla < Greek pýlē gate

Word History and Origins

Origin of aeolipile¹

C17: from Latin aeolīpilae balls of Aeolus or aeolīpylae gates of Aeolus

Example Sentences

Another orifice in the aeolipile was fitted with a reed, so that the steam going through it imitated the song of a bird.

From Project Gutenberg

The Verbiest model was for a four-wheeled carriage, on which an aeolipile was mounted with a pan of burning coals beneath it.

From Project Gutenberg

Some late authors have discovered the extraordinary use to which the frauds of the heathen priesthood applied the Aeolipile, viz.

From Project Gutenberg