cen·tri·fuge (s n tr -fy j )n. 1. An apparatus consisting essentially of a compartment spun about a central axis to separate contained materials of different specific gravities, or to separate colloidal particles suspended in a liquid. 2. An apparatus in which humans or animals are enclosed and which is revolved to simulate the effects of acceleration in a spacecraft. tr.v. cen·tri·fuged, cen·tri·fug·ing, cen·tri·fug·es To rotate (something) in a centrifuge or to separate, dehydrate, or test by means of this apparatus. [French, centrifugal, from New Latin centrifugus; see centrifugal.] cen·trif u·gation (sn-tr fy-g shn, -trf-) n. |
centrifuge [ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːdʒ]
n
1. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) any of various rotating machines that separate liquids from solids or dispersions of one liquid in another, by the action of centrifugal force
2. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) any of various rotating devices for subjecting human beings or animals to varying accelerations for experimental purposes
vb
(Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) (tr) to subject to the action of a centrifuge
centrifugation [ˌsɛntrɪfjʊˈgeɪʃən] n
| centrifuge (sntr-fyj) A machine that separates substances of different densities in a sample by rotating the sample at very high speed, causing the substance to be displaced outward, sometimes through a series of filters or gratings. Denser substances tend to be displaced from the center more than ones that are less dense. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  centrifuge - an apparatus that uses centrifugal force to separate particles from a suspensionhaematocrit, hematocrit - a measuring instrument to determine (usually by centrifugation) the relative amounts of corpuscles and plasma in the blood ultracentrifuge - a high speed centrifuge used to determine the relative molecular masses of large molecules in high polymers and proteins |
| Verb | 1. | centrifuge - rotate at very high speed in order to separate the liquids from the solids ultracentrifuge - subject to the action of an ultracentrifuge spin - stream in jets, of liquids; "The creek spun its course through the woods" |
Translations
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