capillary tube
- noun
- /ˈkæpɪˌlɛri tuːb/
- Specialized
:
tubo capilar
- The blood should be transferred from the capillary tube to the analyzer cartridge immediately, as this will prevent clotting and ensure accurate results.
- a glass capillary tube
Examples
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Blood is then collected in a capillary tube, ensuring that there are no air bubbles present.
Academic text (2011) -
The blood should be transferred from the capillary tube to the analyzer cartridge immediately to ensure accurate results.
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Once the capillary tube has been filled, pressure is applied to the ear.
Academic text (2011) -
When washing, we remove the catheter and collect the fluid externally in a capillary tube.
Academic text (1999) -
Blood is then collected in a capillary tube, ensuring that there are no air bubbles present.
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Later, they will dip the mosquito's proboscis into a capillary tube filled with mineral oil, which causes it to salivate.
Synonyms
680
2.0
A long hollow thing like a pipe that carries liquids or gases, sometimes inside the body
1
5.6
A very thin tube used to hold or move small amounts of liquid
A very thin tube that pulls liquid inside to move small amounts
How Thin
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a thin tube with a very small internal diameter that holds liquid by capillary action' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'capillary' (relating to very thin tubes/capillary action) with 'tube' (a hollow cylinder). This is a straightforward compositional modifier+noun phrase following common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Capillary tube comes from capillary, a word from Latin meaning 'hair', because these tubes are as thin as a 'hair'. That thin, hair-like tube can 'pull' liquid up inside it, so a capillary tube means a very thin tube that 'holds' liquid by capillary action.