vial

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small glass or plastic container, especially one used for medicine, perfume, or a laboratory sample

   The nurse drew the vaccine from a sealed vial.

2. 2
   verb

   to place or store a substance in a vial

   The technician vialed each sample and labeled it with the collection time.

Simplified etymology

Vial is a late Middle English respelling of phial. Both forms ultimately derive through Old French and Latin from Greek phialē, which originally denoted a broad, flat vessel.

A variant of phial, entering Middle English through Old French fiole or viole from Latin phiala, "broad vessel," and ultimately Greek phiale, "shallow bowl." The form vial became standard for the small narrow container used in medicine and laboratory work.

Topics

External links

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