vial
|vi-al|
/ˈvaɪ.əl/
small container for liquids
Etymology
'vial' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'phialē', where 'phialē' meant 'a broad shallow bowl'.
'vial' changed from Greek 'phialē' to Latin 'phiala', then via Old French 'viale' into Middle English and eventually became the modern English word 'vial'.
Initially, it meant 'a broad shallow bowl', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a small container for liquids, especially for medicine or samples'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small container, typically made of glass or plastic, used to hold liquids such as medicines, chemicals, or samples.
The nurse drew the vaccine from a sterile vial.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a small sealed container used in laboratories to store samples or reagents (often used in research and testing contexts).
The technician labeled each vial before placing them in the freezer.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/14 00:37