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Glite Dictionary
sterilizer

sterilizer

2 3.9
A machine that uses heat or chemicals to kill germs on tools
  • noun
  • /ˈstɛrɪlaɪzər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : esterilizador
  • Before the procedure, the doctor made sure all tools were properly sanitized in the sterilizer.
  • ultraviolet sterilizer
  • steam sterilizer
  • UV sterilizer

Examples

  • The first stage involves using a flash sterilizer to cook a diet of nutrients.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The dental assistant was putting clamps in the sterilizer.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Additionally, the RO system has an ultraviolet sterilizer to protect membranes should stored permeate become biologically active.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The dental assistant placed the surgical instruments in the sterilizer to ensure they were free of germs.

  • After cleaning, the technician ran the glassware through the sterilizer to eliminate any remaining bacteria.

Synonyms

autoclave
vssterilizer
  • Specialized
2 8.3

A strong machine that uses hot steam and pressure to kill germs on instruments

is a general device that uses heat or chemicals rather than only pressurized heat

How Sterile

sterilizer
  • Specialized
2 3.9
disinfectant
23 3.1
cleaner
108 1.0

Surface Forms

sterilizer singular
sterilizers plural
sterilisers plural
steriliser singular

Morphology

sterilizer = sterilize (transparent) = sterile + ize + er

Formed by adding the agentive/device suffix '-er' to the verb 'sterilize', producing a straightforward 'one who/that which sterilizes' meaning.

Etymology

Sterilizer comes from sterile, which comes from an old Latin word meaning 'barren' or 'not able to produce life'. So a sterilizer is a machine that makes things 'sterile' so nothing like bacteria or germs can grow on them.