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autoclave

Syllabification: (au·to·clave)
Pronunciation: /ˈôtəˌklāv/

Definition of autoclave

noun

  • a strong, heated container used for chemical reactions and other processes using high pressures and temperatures, e.g., steam sterilization.

verb

[with object]
  • heat (something) in an autoclave.

Origin:

late 19th century: from French, from auto- 'self' + Latin clavus 'nail' or clavis 'key' (so called because it is self-fastening)

autoclave in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of autoclave in the British & World English dictionary

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