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#118737 01/04/2004 1:55 AM
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wwh
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A device for killing bacteria and other organisms on surgical supplies, bacteriology test tubes and Petri dishes etcetera, by steam at high temperature and pressure.

But take a look at Webster's 1913 definition:"

Autoclave
(Au"to*clave) n. [F., fr. Gr. a'yto`s self + L. clavis key.] A kind of French stewpan with a steam-tight lid. Knight.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

autoclave

SYLLABICATION: au·to·clave
PRONUNCIATION: ôt-klv
NOUN: A strong, pressurized, steam-heated vessel, as for laboratory experiments, sterilization, or cooking.
ETYMOLOGY: French : Greek auto-, auto- + Latin clvis, key (from the fact that it is self-locking from the pressurization).

Notice AHD doesn't even mention surgical supplies, which
is its most important application.



#118738 01/05/2004 5:01 AM
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So, what's the device that spins round test tubes to separate out their contents called then?

Bingley


Bingley
#118739 01/05/2004 1:30 PM
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wwh
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centrifuge.


#118740 01/06/2004 4:36 AM
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shoots himself

Bingley


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