matrass

A scientist carefully heats a liquid in a matrass over a laboratory burner.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A long-necked vessel used in chemical distillations: "matrass" refers to a type of glass container with a long neck, typically used in laboratories for distilling or heating substances. It is similar to a Florence flask or a retort.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The chemist carefully heated the matrass over the Bunsen burner to distill the liquid. (A long-necked glass vessel used for distillation.)
  • In the old laboratory, several matrasses lined the shelf, each containing a different chemical solution. (Containers with long necks for chemical processes.)

Advanced Usage

• "matrass" in historical contexts: In early chemistry and alchemy, the matrass was a standard piece of equipment for heating and separating substances.
  • The alchemist used a matrass to purify the elixir, sealing the neck to prevent evaporation. (A vessel for distillation in alchemical practices.)

Variants and Related Words

• Matrass (n): no common variants; the term is largely historical and synonymous with "Florence flask" or "distilling flask" in modern chemistry.
• Matrass-like (adj): resembling a matrass in shape or function.
  • The matrass-like bulb of the flask allowed for even heating. (Having a similar long neck and round body.)

Synonyms

• Florence flask: a round-bottomed flask with a long neck, used in chemistry.
• Distilling flask: a vessel designed for distillation, often with a side arm.

Related Idioms

• None specific to "matrass"; the word is technical and not used in idiomatic expressions.

Phrasal Verbs

• None; "matrass" is a noun and does not form phrasal verbs.