ENGLISH
REFERENCE

syringe

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈsɪɹɪndʒ// UK //sɪɹˈɪndʒ// sy·ringe

n. a medical tool used to inject liquid into the body or take it out. It has a hollow needle and a plastic tube with a part you push or pull.

n. a medical instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder and a plunger, used for injecting or withdrawing fluids. Often fitted with a hypodermic needle for subcutaneous or intravenous delivery.


SIMPLE

The nurse prepared the syringe for the vaccination.

CONTEXTUAL

After drawing the medicine into the syringe, the doctor checked for air bubbles before giving the injection.

COMPLEX

Modern medical facilities use disposable plastic syringes to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, replacing the glass versions that required sterilization between uses.

Origin

From Middle French syringe (“syringe”), from Latin sȳringem, accusative of sȳrinx (“reed, panpipe”), from Ancient Greek σῦριγξ (sûrinx, “pipe, syrinx”). Doublet of syrinx.

Usage

Commonly paired with the verbs 'fill', 'plunge', or 'dispose of'.

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