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| au·to·clave [ áwtō klàyv, áwtə klàyv ] |
noun (plural au·to·claves) |
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| Definition: |
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1. sterilization equipment: a strong steel vessel that can be pressurized. Use: steam sterilization of objects, pressurized chemical reactions at high temperature.
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2. steamer for concrete: an apparatus with which newly cast concrete is cured by steam under pressure
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transitive verb (past and past participle au·to·claved, present participle au·to·clav·ing, 3rd person present singular au·to·claves) |
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| Definition: |
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place something in autoclave: to use an autoclave to steam something
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| [Late 19th century. < French< Greek autos "self" + Latin clavus "nail" or clavis "key"; because self-fastening] |
