pipette

/pi'pet/

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Word: Pipette

Definition: A pipette is a small tool used in laboratories to measure and transfer precise amounts of liquid. It looks like a thin, graduated glass tube, which means it has markings on the side to help you see how much liquid you have inside.

Usage Instructions:

1. Measuring Liquid: To use a pipette, you first place the tip of the pipette into the liquid you want to measure.
2. Drawing Liquid Up: You then pull on the top part (called a bulb or plunger) to suck the liquid up into the tube.
3. Transferring Liquid: To move the liquid, you press the bulb or plunger to release the exact amount you need.

Example:

• "In the chemistry lab, I used a pipette to measure 10 milliliters of the solution for my experiment."

Advanced Usage:

• In more advanced scientific work, pipettes can be electronic, allowing for even more precise measurements and reducing the risk of human error.

Word Variants:

• Pipetting (verb): The act of using a pipette to measure or transfer liquid.
  • Example: "I will be pipetting several samples for the analysis."
• Pipette tip (noun): The small end of the pipette that touches the liquid.
  • Example: "Make sure to change the pipette tip to avoid contamination."

Different Meaning:

In a different context, "pipette" specifically refers to the tool used in laboratories. There are no commonly used alternative meanings.

Synonyms:

• Dropper (a simpler tool used for small amounts of liquid)
• Liquid transfer device (a more general term)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with the word "pipette." However, you might hear phrases like "pipette the sample," meaning to measure or transfer the sample using a pipette.

Summary:

A pipette is an essential instrument in science for accurately measuring and transferring liquids. It is particularly important in chemistry and biology labs where precision is crucial.

Academic

Noun

1. measuring instrument consisting of a graduated glass tube used to measure or transfer precise volumes of a liquid by drawing the liquid up into the tube

Synonyms

• pipet