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beaker. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
beaker, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
beaker in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
beaker you have here. The definition of the word
beaker will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
beaker, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English bekyr, biker, from Old Norse bikarr (“cup”), from Old Saxon bikeri (“cup”), from Proto-West Germanic *bikārī, from Late Latin bīcārium (“wine vat, jug”), of disputed origin. Possibly from Ancient Greek βῖκος (bîkos, “earthenware jug, wine jar”), or from Latin bacarium (“wine vat, vase”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian Bieker (“mug, cup, beaker”), Dutch beker (“beaker, cup”), German Becher (“beaker, cup, goblet”), Danish bæger (“beaker”), Italian bicchiere (“cup, glass (for drink)”). Doublet of pitcher.
Pronunciation
Noun
beaker (plural beakers)
- A flat-bottomed vessel, with a lip, used as a laboratory container.
- A drinking vessel without a handle, sometimes for the use of children.
- A mug.
- (slang, Antarctica) A scientist.
2008, Kim Stanley Robinson, Antarctica, page 52:[…] at every meal break he shambled into the galley black-fingered and smelling of engine-grease and concrete floors, to contemplate over his meal the beakers at their round tables chatting away, completely oblivious […]
Hyponyms
- (drinking vessel without a handle): glass (2nd definition), tumbler
Derived terms
Translations
flat-bottomed laboratory vessel
drinking vessel without a handle
Anagrams