vial

/'vaiəl/

Thân thiện

A scientist carefully fills a small glass vial with a clear liquid.

Definition

Noun: A vial is a small, typically cylindrical glass or plastic container, often with a narrow neck, used for holding liquids, especially medicines, perfumes, or chemical samples. It is frequently sealed with a stopper or cap.

Usage

A vial is used to store, transport, or dispense small quantities of liquid substances. In medical contexts, it is commonly a sterile container for injectable drugs or vaccines.

Examples

• The nurse carefully drew the vaccine from the vial.
• The perfume sample came in a tiny glass vial.
• The laboratory technician labeled each vial with the sample number.

Advanced Usage

• "To pour out vials of wrath": This is a literary idiom meaning to express great anger or to seek vengeance. It originates from biblical imagery.
  • Example: In his speech, the politician seemed to pour out vials of wrath upon his opponents.

Variants and Related Words

• Phial: An alternative, less common spelling of "vial" with the same meaning.
• Ampoule (or Ampule): A small sealed glass capsule designed to hold a single dose of a sterile solution, typically for injection. It is broken open at the neck to access the contents, unlike a vial which is typically sealed with a removable stopper.

Synonyms

• Bottle (specifically a small one)
• Flask (though often implies a different shape or use)
• Container

Idioms

• Pour out vials of wrath: To unleash intense anger or condemnation.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a small bottle that contains a drug (especially a sealed sterile container for injection by needle)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• phial
• ampule
• ampul
• ampoule