autoclave

American  

[aw-tuh-kleyv] / ˈɔ təˌkleɪv /

noun

1. a heavy vessel for conducting chemical reactions under high pressure.

2. pressure cooker.

3. Medicine/Medical, Bacteriology. an apparatus in which steam under pressure effects sterilization.

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verb (used with object)

autoclaved, autoclaving

1. to place in an autoclave.

autoclave British  

/ ˈɔːtəˌkleɪv /

noun

1. a strong sealed vessel used for chemical reactions at high pressure

2. an apparatus for sterilizing objects (esp surgical instruments) or for cooking by means of steam under pressure

3. civil engineering a vessel in which freshly cast concrete or sand-lime bricks are cured very rapidly in high-pressure steam

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verb

1. (tr) to put in or subject to the action of an autoclave

autoclave Scientific  

/ ô′tō-klāv′ /

1. An airtight steel vessel used to heat substances and objects under very high pressures. Autoclaves are used in laboratory experiments and for sterilization.

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Etymology

Origin of autoclave

1875–80; < French, equivalent to auto- auto- ¹ + clave < Latin clāv-, stem of clāvis key and clāvus nail

Related Words

• castrate
• decontaminate
• disinfect
• neuter
• pasteurize
• sanitize
• spay