beaker

Meaning

1. A flat-bottomed vessel, with a lip, used as a laboratory container.
2. A drinking vessel without a handle, sometimes for the use of children.
3. A mug.
4. (slang) A scientist.

Concepts

beaker

cup

goblet

mug

glass

jar

measuring cup

measuring jug

bocal

facer

drink

drinking vessel

watering place

container

dispenser

pot

receptacle

urn

tankard

chalice

stoup

Bunsen beaker

bottle

flask

retort

tub

tumbler

jorum

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbiːkə(ɹ)/

Etymology

From Middle English bekyr, biker, from Old Norse bikarr (“cup”), from Old Saxon bikeri (“cup”), from Proto-West Germanic *bikārī, from Late Latin bīcārium (“wine vat, jug”), of disputed origin. Possibly from Ancient Greek βῖκος (bîkos, “earthenware jug, wine jar”), or from Latin bacarium (“wine vat, vase”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian Bieker (“mug, cup, beaker”), Dutch beker (“beaker, cup”), German Becher (“beaker, cup, goblet”), Danish bæger (“beaker”), Italian bicchiere (“cup, glass (for drink)”). Doublet of pitcher.