pipette
py-PET
/paɪˈpet/
A slender glass or plastic tube used in laboratory work for measuring and transferring small, precise volumes of liquid; (verb) to transfer liquid using this tool.
Designed specifically for controlled micro-volume transfer, unlike broad mixing vessels.
The story behind the word. The French suffix -ette means 'little'. Thus, pipette literally means 'little pipe'. French chemists in the 19th century created the term to describe narrow glass tubes used to draw up small liquid drops.
Word relationships
- dropper: A dropper is crude and uncalibrated; a pipette is a calibrated precision instrument.
Commonly confused with
- buret: A pipette transfers a fixed micro-volume, while a buret dispenses variable volumes through a bottom stopcock.
Word family
- pipetted (verb): Past tense of pipette; having transferred fluid with a pipette.
- pipetting (verb): The act of transferring liquid via a pipette.
Collocations
- glass pipette
- micropipette
- pipette tip
- pipette solution
Example sentences
- "Using a micropipette, the researcher carefully transferred two microliters of enzyme solution into the reaction tube." Microbiology
- "Never pipette liquid by mouth; always use a rubber bulb or automated suction device." Practical Technique
Memory hook
A PIPEtte is a PIPE's tiny little sister for micro drops. Little tube for small liquid drops.
When not to use
Do not use for storing large liquid volumes or boiling solutions.
Fun facts
- Until the mid-20th century, scientists frequently used 'mouth pipetting'—sucking liquids up by mouth—which caused countless accidental poisonings!
Explore more words
catheter, calibrate, Quantify, meticulous, calibration, particulate
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