Centrifuge: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'centrum,' meaning center, and 'fugere,' meaning to flee, suggesting it spins from the center.
• Centrifuge was first introduced in the early 19th century as methods to separate liquids and solids based on density.
• French scientist Pierre-Simon Laplace proposed ideas related to the principles of spinning bodies, influencing the design of early centrifuges.

Science

• In biology, centrifuges are used to separate cells from liquids, which is crucial in labs for studying living organisms.
• They help in blood testing by separating red and white blood cells from plasma, ensuring accurate lab results.
• Centrifuges play a role in nuclear spin and are essential in enriching uranium for energy production.

Technology

• Modern centrifuges come in various sizes, from tabletop models for labs to large industrial machines used in factories.
• There are different types of centrifuges, including fixed-angle and swinging-bucket, each serving distinct purposes.
• Advancements in technology have made centrifuge machines faster and more energy-efficient, improving safety and productivity.

Pop Culture

• In movies and TV shows, centrifuges are often depicted in scenes involving scientific experiments or space missions.
• They can be seen in crime dramas where forensic scientists use centrifuges to analyze evidence from crime scenes.
• The spinning action of a centrifuge has been used metaphorically in various media to symbolize separation or chaos.

Literature

• Centrifuge technology is sometimes explored in science fiction, highlighting the separation of humanity from nature or the cosmos.
• Writers have drawn parallels between the pronounced movement in centrifuges and societal upheaval, creating symbolic narratives.
• Poets may evoke the imagery of spinning and separation to explore themes of identity and belonging in modern life.

With rank #16,704, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

• ...
• 16701 insolence
• 16702 equalize
• 16703 commuter
• 16704 centrifuge
• 16705 meteorology
• 16706 quieter
• 16707 triangulation
• ...