/ ˈɔːtəʊkleɪv; ˈɔːtə-; NAmE ˈɔːtoʊ-/ noun
a strong closed container, used for processes that involve high temperatures or pressure
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: from French , from auto- self + Latin clavus nail or clavis key (so named because it is self-fastening).