AUTOCLAVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does autoclave mean? 

• AUTOCLAVE (noun)
  The noun AUTOCLAVE has 1 sense:

1. a device for heating substances above their boiling point; used to manufacture chemicals or to sterilize surgical instruments

  Familiarity information: AUTOCLAVE used as a noun is very rare.

• AUTOCLAVE (verb)
  The verb AUTOCLAVE has 1 sense:

1. subject to the action of an autoclave

  Familiarity information: AUTOCLAVE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AUTOCLAVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A device for heating substances above their boiling point; used to manufacture chemicals or to sterilize surgical instruments

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

autoclave; steriliser; sterilizer

Hypernyms ("autoclave" is a kind of...):

vessel (an object used as a container (especially for liquids))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "autoclave"):

digester (autoclave consisting of a vessel in which plant or animal materials are digested)

pressure cooker (autoclave for cooking at temperatures above the boiling point of water)

Derivation:

autoclave (subject to the action of an autoclave)

• AUTOCLAVE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they autoclave    ... he / she / it autoclaves   
Past simple: autoclaved   
Past participle: autoclaved   
-ing form: autoclaving   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Subject to the action of an autoclave

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "autoclave" is one way to...):

sterilise; sterilize (make free from bacteria)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

autoclave (a device for heating substances above their boiling point; used to manufacture chemicals or to sterilize surgical instruments)

 Context examples 

This substance does not break down in an autoclave (a device that uses steam under high pressure to sterilize medical and laboratory supplies and equipment).

(Autoclave-resistant factor, NCI Dictionary)