Dewar Meaning
/ˈdjuːwə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA vacuum flask; a vessel which keeps its contents hotter or cooler than their environment without the need to modify the pressure, by interposing an evacuated region to provide thermal insulation between the contents and the environment.
nameA surname from Scottish Gaelic.
Sentence Examples
The dewar flask kept the liquid cold.
He used a dewar to store the sample.
We stored the liquid nitrogen in a glass dewar flask.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist stored liquid nitrogen in a ____ to keep it cold.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ flask kept the liquid cold.
Word Origin & History
From Scottish Gaelic deòradh (“pilgrim, stranger”), an occupational surname for a custodian of holy relics. It could also be an habitational surname, from Dewar, Scottish Borders. The flask is named for James Dewar, who is credited with its invention.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A large thermos-like container called a dewar contained 645 gallons of liquid helium to be cooled to within two degrees of absolute zero."
— 2009 February 17, Guy Gugliotta, “Perseverance Is Paying Off for a Test of Relativity in Space”, in New York Times:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist stored liquid nitrogen in a ____ to keep it cold.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ flask kept the liquid cold.