autoclave

[ aw-tuh-kleyv ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, au·to·claved, au·to·clav·ing.

1. to place in an autoclave.

autoclave

/ 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

verb

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

autoclave

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of autoclave¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of autoclave¹

C19: from French auto- + -clave, from Latin clāvis key

Example Sentences

Though I did enjoy the fellow who suggested that he sterilized everything in his kitchen with a Harvest Gold autoclave.

From The Daily Beast

Sterilisation by means of superheated steam is carried out in a special boiler—Chamberland's autoclave (Fig. 30).

From Project Gutenberg

Fix the bucket over a large Bunsen flame and boil for thirty minutes—or boil in the autoclave for a similar period.

From Project Gutenberg

Heat the whole apparatus in the autoclave at 120° C. for twenty minutes.

From Project Gutenberg

Steam applied in an autoclave under a pressure of two atmospheres destroys even the most resistant spores in a few minutes.

From Project Gutenberg

The author found that in an autoclave of the type shown in Fig. 81 it required ten minutes for 500 cc.

From Project Gutenberg