autoclave
(ˈɔːtəkleɪv)
[a. F. autoclave, f. Gr. αὐτο- (see auto-1) self + L. clāvus nail (or) clāvis key; hence = ‘a self-fastening apparatus.’]
1. A kind of French stew-pan with a steam-tight lid.
| 1880 R. J. Friswell in Soc. Arts Jrnl. 16 Apr. 444 Strong cast-iron vessels, enamelled inside, and known as ‘autoclaves.’ |
2. A vessel for carrying out chemical reactions at high temperatures under pressure; an apparatus for sterilizing by steam at high pressure.
| 1876 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. XXX. 451 Saponification of Neutral Fats in Autoclaves. 1886 Ibid. L. 112 High Pressure Digesters (Autoclaves) for Chemical Laboratories... The apparatus consists of a cylindrical copper vessel, provided with a cover, which is firmly fastened down by a screw. 1919 Modern Hospital XII. 281 (title) High-pressure dressing sterilizers or autoclaves. 1931 Forestry V. 141 The nutrient medium..is made up and sterilized in an autoclave. 1946 Electronic Engin. XVIII. 317 The phosphors..are prepared in autoclaves at high temperature and under pressure of some thousand atmospheres. |
Hence ˈautoclave v. trans. and intr. (Webster, 1934); so ˈautoclaving vbl. n. and ppl. a., ˈautoclaved ppl. a.
| 1929 Biochem. Jrnl. XXIII. 1052 The preparation of ‘bios’ used was an autoclaved solution of marmite. 1943 Electronic Engin. XV. 394 A number of steatite bodies..were investigated by autoclaving. 1955 J. G. Davis Dict. Dairying (ed. 2) 844 Autoclave at a pressure of 15 lb. per sq. in. for 20 min[utes]. 1960 Times 19 Aug. 2/5 Spray drying and autoclaving techniques. 1965 Economist 5 June 1176/2 Siporex is an autoclaved light weight aerated concrete product. |