/aw"teuh klayv'/ , n. , v. , autoclaved, autoclaving .
n.
1. a heavy vessel for conducting chemical reactions under high pressure.
2. See pressure cooker .
3. Med. , Bacteriol. an apparatus in which steam under pressure effects sterilization.
v.t.
4. to place in an autoclave.
[ 1875-80; auto- AUTO- 1 + clave clav-, s. of clavis key and clavus nail ]