Autoclave

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Autoclave \Au"to*clave\, n. [F., fr. Gr. a'yto`s self + L.
     clavis key.]
     1. A kind of French stewpan with a steam-tight lid. --Knight.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. a device used for sterilizing objects by exposing them to


        steam at above atmospheric pressure (and thus at a
        temperature above the normal boiling point of water). It
        consists of a closed chamber able to withstand internal
        pressure, and a means of passing superheated steam into
        the chamber. Autoclaves are made in various sizes, and are
        much used in hospitals and research laboratories to render
        instruments and equipment sterile.
        [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  autoclave
       n : a device for heating substances above their boiling point;
           used to manufacture chemicals or to sterilize surgical
           instruments [syn: {sterilizer}, {steriliser}]
       v : subject to the action of an autoclave