Beaker Meaning
/ˈbiːkə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA flat-bottomed, straight-sided, glass vessel, with a lip and often a small spout, used as a laboratory container.
nounA drinking vessel without a handle.
Sentence Examples
The Beaker People were named after the shape of their pots.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist carefully poured the blue liquid from the glass ____ into a smaller test tube for the experiment.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist poured the blue liquid into a glass ____ in the lab city.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The beakers of mead spilled in huge puddles."
— 1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 30:
"[…] 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 […]"
— 2008, Kim Stanley Robinson, Antarctica, page 52:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist carefully poured the blue liquid from the glass ____ into a smaller test tube for the experiment.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist poured the blue liquid into a glass ____ in the lab city.