phial

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small, narrow bottle, especially one used for medicines, chemicals, or other liquids

   The pharmacist poured the tincture into a dark glass phial.

2. 2
   verb

   to place or preserve a substance in a phial

   The technician will phial each liquid sample before labeling it.

From Middle English fiole and phiole, through Old French from Late Latin fiola or phiola, a form of Latin phiala ("broad, shallow vessel"), itself from Ancient Greek phiale. The spelling developed under learned Latin and Greek influence. Phial and vial are doublets from the same source.

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