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centrifuge

UK/ˈsɛntɹɪˌfjuːdʒ/
nounC1Rare in speech; mostly a word you read · #13,857 of 15,258neutral

Other forms: centrifuges

A centrifuge is a machine that spins samples fast to separate them. Put it in the centrifuge, spin down in a centrifuge, a laboratory centrifuge.

Spinning makes the heavier parts move outward, which is how blood is separated into cells and plasma. The same principle at enormous scale is how uranium is enriched, which is why centrifuges appear in arms negotiations.

Magnus Manske · CC BY 1.0

Definitions of centrifuge

  1. 1nouncentrifugeA machine that spins samples fast to separate them.C1

    “The lab technician placed the test tubes in the centrifuge and switched it on.”

centrifuge is a machine.

Where it comes from

Latin centrum, centre, plus fugere, to flee, from the outward movement spinning produces.

  1. Proto-Indo-European

    *bʰewg-

  2. Latin

    centrum — center

  3. French

    centrifuge

  4. English, today

    centrifuge

Built from

  • fugiō · Latin — to flee

From French centrifuge, from Latin centrum (“center”) + fugiō (“to flee”). Equivalent to centri + fuge.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practised in Science & Space

Practise this word

centrifuge in the wild

  • A centrifuge can be a very effective filter that separates contaminants from the main body of fluid.

    Centrifuge

  • Large centrifuges are used to simulate high gravity or acceleration environments (for example, high-G training for test pilots).

    Centrifuge

  • The denser components of the mixture migrate away from the axis of the centrifuge, while the less dense components of the mixture migrate towards the axis.

    Centrifugation

  • By applying a larger effective gravitational force to the mixture, like a centrifuge does, the separation of the particles is accelerated.

    Centrifugation

  • Although the module was planned to contain several parts, the 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centrifuge still was considered the most important capability of the module.

    Centrifuge Accommodations Module

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

Related words

the fugiō family

subterfugecentrifuge

centrifuge — used about once every 33,333 pages · #13,857 · point at the bar for the others