centrifuge

[ sen-truh-fyooj ]
/ ˈsɛn trəˌfyudʒ /

noun

an apparatus that rotates at high speed and by centrifugal force separates substances of different densities, as milk and cream.

verb (used with object), cen·tri·fuged, cen·tri·fug·ing.

Also centrifugalize. to subject to the action of a centrifuge.

Origin of centrifuge

1795–1805; < French, noun use of centrifuge (adj.) < New Latin centrifugus center-fleeing; see centrifugal

OTHER WORDS FROM centrifuge

cen·trif·u·ga·tion [sen-trif-yuh-gey-shuh n, -trif-uh-] /sɛnˌtrɪf yəˈgeɪ ʃən, -ˌtrɪf ə-/, noun re·cen·tri·fuge, verb (used with object), re·cen·tri·fuged, re·cen·tri·fug·ing.

Example sentences from the Web for centrifuge

British Dictionary definitions for centrifuge

centrifuge
/ (ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːdʒ) /

noun

any of various rotating machines that separate liquids from solids or dispersions of one liquid in another, by the action of centrifugal force
any of various rotating devices for subjecting human beings or animals to varying accelerations for experimental purposes

verb

(tr) to subject to the action of a centrifuge

Derived forms of centrifuge

centrifugation (ˌsɛntrɪfjʊˈɡeɪʃən), noun

Medical definitions for centrifuge

centrifuge
[ sĕntrə-fyōōj′ ]

n.

An apparatus consisting essentially of a compartment spun about a central axis to separate contained materials of different densities, or to separate colloidal particles suspended in a liquid.

v.

To rotate something in a centrifuge or to separate, dehydrate, or test by means of this apparatus.

Scientific definitions for centrifuge

centrifuge
[ sĕntrə-fyōōj′ ]

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.