ENGLISH
REFERENCE

beaker

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbikɝ// UK //bˈiːkɐ// beaker Slang

n. a round glass container with a flat bottom and a spout for pouring. You use it in science labs to hold and mix liquids.

n. a cylindrical glass vessel with a flat base and a pouring lip, used for holding, mixing, and heating liquids in a laboratory setting.


SIMPLE

The student poured the blue liquid into a clean beaker.

CONTEXTUAL

To measure the volume of the solution accurately, the researcher transferred the liquid from the flask into a graduated beaker.

COMPLEX

While the beaker is primarily designed for holding rather than precise measurement, its wide mouth allows for easy stirring and observation of chemical reactions as they occur.

Origin

From Middle English bekyr, biker, from Old Norse bikarr (“cup”), from Old Saxon bikeri (“cup”), from Proto-West Germanic *bikārī, from Late Latin bīcārium (“wine vat, jug”), of disputed origin. Possibly from Ancient Greek βῖκος (bîkos, “earthenware jug, wine jar”), or from Latin bacarium (“wine vat, vase”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Bieker (“mug, cup, beaker”), Dutch beker (“beaker, cup”), German Becher (“beaker, cup, goblet”), Danish bæger (“beaker”), Italian bicchiere (“cup, glass (for drink)”). Doublet of pitcher.

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