vial

American  

[vahy-uhl, vahyl] / ˈvaɪ əl, vaɪl /

noun

1. Also a small container, as of glass, for holding liquids.

   a vial of rare perfume; a vial of medicine.

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verb (used with object)

vialed, vialing, vialled, vialling

1. to put into or keep in a vial.

idioms

1. pour out vials of wrath, to wreak vengeance or express anger.

   In her preface she pours out vials of wrath on her detractors.

vial British  

/ ˈvaɪəl, vaɪl /

noun

1. a less common variant of phial

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Etymology

Origin of vial

1300–50; Middle English viole, variant of fiole phial

Example Sentences

A code enforcement officer investigating an odd smell found vials and labels for diseases at a California warehouse.

From Los Angeles Times

Soon-Shiong also referred to Anktiva as a “single jab,” later adding that it was a “little vial that you inject subcutaneously.”

From Barron's

I went over in my mind the different steps, looked at the vials of chemicals, the measuring spoons.

From Literature

Security Council, where he held up a small vial of white powder to illustrate the alleged danger of Saddam Hussein’s biological weapons.

From Salon

There were bottles everywhere, tiny vials to giant jugs.

From Literature

Related Words

• bottle
• flask